Son, 34, drowns trying to save his confused dad, 62, who walked off their boat after a nap because he mistakenly thought he was home

  • Jeremiah Israel, 34, has been identified as the drowning victim who was found Monday morning in West Point Lake near LaGrange, Georgia
  • Israel had been fishing with his father, age 62, when two grew tired and tied their boat to a bridge overnight on Sunday
  • The father woke up and walked off the boat, apparently thinking he was at home and was heading to use the restroom, so Israel jumped in the water to save him
  • The father was helped to safety by nearby boaters but Israel did not resurface
  • Israel's body was found on Monday at 10.47am by Sheriff's deputies and Rangers
  • The tragic incident is being investigated as an apparent accidental drowning by Georgia's Department of Natural Resources 

A man has drowned in a Georgia lake after trying to save his father who walked off of their boat after a nap because he mistakenly thought he was heading toward the bathroom inside his home.

Jeremiah Israel, 34, has been identified as the man who drowned overnight between Sunday and Monday, the LaGrange Daily News reported.

Israel's body was recovered on Monday on West Point Lake near the bridge on Cameron Mill Road, authorities said.

Jeremiah Israel, 34 (pictured), has drowned in West Point Lake in Georgia after trying to save his father, 62

Jeremiah Israel, 34 (pictured), has drowned in West Point Lake in Georgia after trying to save his father, 62

Troup County Sheriff's Sgt. Stewart Smith said Israel and his father were fishing on Sunday night on the lake.

At one point, the two grew tired and tied the boat to the bridge and fell asleep. Smith said.

Overnight, the father woke up and thought he was home, and got up to use the restroom. At that time, the father apparently walked right off the boat.

Israel's father (left) apparently who walked off of their boat after a nap, thinking he was heading to use his bathroom at home. Israel is pictured at right

Israel's father (left) apparently who walked off of their boat after a nap, thinking he was heading to use his bathroom at home. Israel is pictured at right

The father (right) was helped to safety by nearby boaters but Israel (left) did not resurface

The father (right) was helped to safety by nearby boaters but Israel (left) did not resurface

Smith said Israel jumped in to rescue his father, but did not resurface.

A group of boaters who were about 20-30 feet rescued the father by helping him back into his boat, Smith said. 

After being taken to West Georgia Medical Center, the father was released. 

After being taken to West Georgia Medical Center, the father (left) was released. Israel is pictured at right

After being taken to West Georgia Medical Center, the father (left) was released. Israel is pictured at right

Israel's (pictured) body was recovered on Monday at 10.47am near the bridge on Cameron Mill Road

Israel's (pictured) body was recovered on Monday at 10.47am near the bridge on Cameron Mill Road

Israel's body was recovered at around 10.47am on Monday by Tift County Sheriff's Office deputies and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rangers.

The tragic incident is being investigated as an apparent accidental drowning by Georgia's DNR.

Israel resided in the Jonesboro suburb of Atlanta. 

The tragic incident which occurred at West Point Lake near LaGrange, Georgia (shown, in a stock photo) is being investigated as an apparent accidental drowning by Georgia's Department of Natural Resources

The tragic incident which occurred at West Point Lake near LaGrange, Georgia (shown, in a stock photo) is being investigated as an apparent accidental drowning by Georgia's Department of Natural Resources

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Son drowns trying to save confused dad who walked off boat

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