In a devastating incident, two boys from D.W. Daniel High School lost their lives after participating in a dangerous bridge-jumping challenge at Twelve Mile River Bridge in Lake Hartwell. The bodies of the teens were recovered by officials in an area of the lake that was approximately 15 to 16 feet deep.

According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, a group of students from D.W. Daniel High School had engaged in a group chat, where they challenged each other to jump off the bridge. On Saturday night, a group of them gathered at the bridge to take part in this ill-fated dare.

Tragedy struck when one of the boys "immediately went into distress" upon landing in the water, possibly due to an awkward landing, as reported by an individual who witnessed the incident from the shore. Another brave teen jumped in to save his friend, but both were swept away by a strong current underneath the bridge.

A distressed teen dialed 911 at 10:28 p.m., alerting authorities that their friends were missing in the water. First responders swiftly arrived at the scene and initiated an extensive search operation that lasted into Sunday. Despite the efforts of divers, boats, and sonar technology, the boys' whereabouts remained unknown until Monday morning.

At around 11 a.m. on Monday, the bodies of the two sophomores from Daniel High School were located on sonar, approximately 8 feet apart. The tragic incident has yet to disclose the names of the victims.

Bridge-jumping challenges, often popularized by viral trends on platforms like TikTok, have come under scrutiny for their inherent dangers. Chief Deputy Chuck James stressed that such activities are inherently unsafe and cautioned against attempting them.

The School District of Pickens County expressed profound sadness over the loss, extending condolences and prayers to the families, friends, and the entire D.W. Daniel High School community. Their primary focus is providing support and care to affected students, staff, and families. The district has deployed a team of dedicated school counselors, psychologists, and mental health professionals, while community organizations have offered their assistance as well.

As the community mourns the loss of these young lives, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and responsible choices. The investigations into the incident continue, urging everyone to prioritize caution and avoid participating in risky challenges.

Counselors will be on hand at D.W. Daniel High School to support grieving students today and throughout the week.