Father’s Attempt to Save Son Ends in Tragic Drowning at Lake Anna’s Shores

Memorial Day weekend at Lake Anna in Virginia turned tragic as a father and his teenage son drowned in an attempt to rescue one another.

According to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, the sequence of events began when a 14-year-old boy, Tyler Atchley, encountered trouble in the water. His father, 42-year-old Matthew Atchley, immediately attempted to rescue him.

Witnesses reported seeing Matthew struggling before both disappeared beneath the surface.

Despite several bystanders’ efforts to locate them, they were unsuccessful. The bodies of Matthew and Tyler were later recovered by first responders and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Atchley family, who were visiting from Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, were attending a graduation party at Lake Anna, a popular destination for holiday goers. This area, while favored for its scenic views and recreational opportunities, lacks lifeguards at many access points, contributing to the risk factor.

The isolated cove where the drowning occurred is known as the “hot” side of the lake, close to the North Anna Nuclear Generating Station. While some locals speculate about the influence of water currents in this area, officials clarified that currents from the station are not near the incident location.

Chief Alex Dillard of the Lake Anna Volunteer Rescue highlighted the increased dangers associated with the holiday influx of visitors, many of whom swim in unguided areas. He emphasized that his team responds to multiple drowning incidents each year, particularly in spots without lifeguard supervision.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said there wasn’t anything suspicious about what happened, and the people who drowned weren’t from around here.

At first, their names weren’t shared until their family could be told. But now we know it was Matthew and Tyler Atchley. Their hometown, Harborcreek, is feeling really sad about what happened.

The school there is making sure there’s extra help for students and teachers who are feeling upset.

Heidi Johnson, who is Matthew Atchley’s cousin, shared how shocked and sad she was. She kept asking herself if it was really true. She couldn’t believe it. She talked to someone and they said it was true.

Then she just couldn’t stop crying.

Losing a husband and a son all at once feels like a really bad dream. Heidi remembered how kind Matthew and Tyler were. They were always ready to help anyone. They were also really loving. They would give the biggest hugs and were there for you, no matter what.

Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia also commented on the tragedy, stating, “My heart breaks for the Atchley family and their community. This is a devastating reminder of the dangers present in our beautiful waterways, and the importance of ensuring safety measures are in place.”

A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover funeral expenses, reflecting the community’s desire to support the grieving family during this difficult time.