The devastating last words from a teenager who tragically drowned after his brothers allegedly dared him to swim across the lake have been revealed.
In 2020, a 19-year-old boy lost his life after swimming across a lake at the Cypress Lake Apartments off Casino Center Drive extension.
The victim, identified by officials as J.W Ransom, was set to graduate from high school when the heartbreaking accident happened.
According to Action News 5, people at the apartment complex said they saw Ransom get in the pond and then started calling for help.
Harrowing footage of the teenager swimming in the body of water captured his final words before he drowned. It has been reported that he was dared by his brothers to swim across the lake.
In the chilling video, Ransom is heard jokingly asking the people behind the camera: "If I drown, who's going to come get me?"
He then could be seen swimming across most of the length of the lake, before the clip cuts.
Watch the chilling video below:A family friend named Grenisha Rogers spoke about the tragedy and said that Ransom was visiting friends when it all happened.
"That’s a hurting feeling. Seeing him go down in the water, yelling for help but nobody could help him, she said, as cited by WREG.
Rogers added that people tried to save Ransom, but the water was just too deep. “When the firefighter came over, they told us it’s a drop-off and it’s 30 feet deep,” she continued.
She revealed that Ransom left behind a child: "He has a seven-month-old. So, that’s just a hurting feeling that nobody wants."
The Quitman County School District released a statement about the tragic death, writing: "It is with a saddened and heavy heart that the Quitman County School District mourns the transition of one of our graduating Seniors, Mr. J.W. Ransom."
"On behalf of the Quitman County Board of Education, faculty, and student body, we offer our most heartfelt condolences to the Ransom family," they continued. "To the graduating Class of 2020, I offer a word of comfort from Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you."
"We are one voice. One sound. One District. Together, we will stand strong and be of comfort and strength to one another through this very difficult trial we face," they concluded.
Erik Houston with the YMCA said that 80% of drownings happen within 10 feet of a lifeguard. “Interact with your kids in the pool. Get in the water with them,” Houston said, per Action News 5.
Director of Injury Prevention at Lebonheur Children’s Hospital Susan Helms said: “When there are a lot of adults there make sure you designate one as a water watcher,” adding, “That means you’re going to be within arms distance of the children. You’re not going to be on your cell phone, you’re not going to be talking.”
Our thoughts continue to be with Ransom's family and friends.
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