By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A lazy, sunny afternoon with temperatures in the mid-80s became a nightmare for four teenagers on Sunday when one of them apparently panicked and drowned while swimming across the old rock quarry lake in the Cedar Cove community.
Law enforcement authorities identified the victim as Anthony Hill, 16, of Decatur.
Hill and four of his companions were swimming from the west to east side of the approximately 250-foot wide body of water when he got into trouble and was unable to stay afloat. Others in the party attempted unsuccessfully to assist him.
Somerville Area Volunteer Emergency Service was called to the scene at approximately 3:30 p.m. and called for the assistance of the Morgan County Rescue Squad when they realized that a rescue operation was needed.
They removed the victim’s body from about 12 feet of water, and he was transported by ambulance to Hartselle Medical Center, where confirmation of his death was made.
The emergency call was made by an individual who was with another party at the quarry, according to Morgan County Chief Deputy Mike Corley.
Hill’s death brings to at least six the number of drowning deaths that have occurred at the privately owned quarry in the past 25 years.
Corley said anyone found on the property without the owner’s permission is subject to being arrested and charged with trespassing on private property.