Father Drowned Trying to Rescue Son on Hart County (GA) Lake

Hart County officials have recovered and identified the body of Constantin Pascal, a 44-year-old man who is believed to have drowned while saving his son. Pascal’s body was found 40 feet underwater in Lake Hartwell and was recovered on Saturday evening. The incident occurred at Paynes Creek Campground, where crews responded to investigate a reported drowning. Pascal was recording his son tubing behind a boat when a wave knocked the life vest off the boy. Pascal jumped into the water to help his son but never resurfaced. The child was rescued by someone on a nearby jet ski. Pascal had another son on-board the boat at the time of the incident. Pascal was not wearing a life vest when he jumped in to help his son. The cause of death is still under investigation and an autopsy will be scheduled soon.