MACON, Ga. (WPGA) - Two girls and a man are dead after an apparent drowning at a park in Macon, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night, a call came in for a possible drowning after three people suddenly went under the water at Amerson River Park. The sheriff’s office said the three were on a sandbar and were swept out by the current.

Skyler Worthen, 10, Summer McRae, 7, and Johnny Collins III, 28, were all pulled from the water on Wednesday.

Collins and McRae were found and pronounced dead just before noon. Worthen was found and pronounced dead three hours later.

“We are being respectful to everyone, but you have to understand when you come out here and you take a swim in the river, there’s always going to be a risk,” said Sgt. Christopher Williams with the sheriff’s office.

“During different times of seasons throughout the year, the currents in the river change,” Williams added. “It doesn’t matter what your weight is, what your height is. It doesn’t have a name on it.”

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was also on scene.

“We do have our thoughts and prayers with that family,” said DNR spokesman Mark McKinnon. “I know they are going through some terrible emotions at this point, so we ask that folk respect their privacy.”

McKinnon and Williams said none of the victims were wearing life jackets. They both emphasized that there are life jackets available at the park for anyone to use.

The sheriff’s office did not say which access point the victims used to get to the river or where they were found.

McKinnon said that without the multiple agencies involved, the search could have been much more difficult.

“We’ve had searches go on for many days at times, and to be able to close this in one day is a great team effort,” said McKinnon.

The park will reopen Thursday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Macon is located about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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