Party turns tragic

Party turns tragic

In the early morning hours Sunday, May 25, EMS crews and deputies were called out to the St. Marys River bridge on SR 121, that marks the border between Baker County and Charlton County, in Georgia.

Due to the remote location of the river-front hunting camp site, access was extremely limited and four wheelers were used to reach the scene where a large group of men, women and children were camping and celebrating a bachelor party for a upcoming wedding.

One of the men emerged from swimming in the river and collapsed on the bank. His fellow campers summoned help from both Florida and Georgia. The man in his thirties whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner.  It is believed he was the groom and is from the Nassau County/Bryceville area. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Most of the party had been drinking throughout the day Saturday, according to their statements. One heavily inebriated party goer was transported to Ed Fraser Hospital, when he could not be awakened. Deputies had to detain a person when he became belligerent and interfered with rescue personnel.