Cass High School Student Drowns In Lake Allatoona

Editor's note: this story has been updated.

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The Bartow County coroner has released the identity of the teenager whose body was found Thursday afternoon in Allatoona Lake.

Christian Srutchins, 17, drowned July 28 while swimming in the lake at Red Top Mountain State Park, said Coroner Joel Guyton.

Ranger First Class Bart Hendrix with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division said the agency received the call of a male going under the water around 2:13 p.m. near the Iron Hill area, which Hendrix said is located off Glade Road.

Crews with Bartow County Emergency Medical Services and Bartow County Fire Department responded to the lake and when they arrived on the scene, witnesses said the teen "went under the water and did not return to the surface," EMS spokesperson Brad Cothran added.

Hendrix said the teenager, who is from Cartersville, was swimming with friends when he failed to resurface.

Fire department crews began the search and recovery process, and Srutchins' body was found a short time later.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family of Srutchins, who attended Cass High School. Additionally, Cass High School wrote on its Facebook page that counselors will be available Friday for students "if they need anything."

Bartow County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Harper said the system is "very saddened by the tragic loss of one of our own."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Scrutchins family and his Cass High family," he added. "We understand what a difficult time this is and I appreciate so much the counselors who were available today at Cass High in case any students needed to talk."

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Image via GoFundMe