Students, faculty mourn loss of students who drowned in Lake Hartwell, what we know so far

Students and faculty at D.W. Daniel High School in Pickens County are mourning the loss of tenth-graders Rayan Al-Nasser and Zakaria Chaar.

Search teams recovered the bodies of the two friends Monday from Lake Hartwell.

Pickens County Coroner's Office confirmed Al-Nasser, 16, and Chaar, 15, were found late Monday morning in 15 feet of water and about eight feet apart. Alnasser was found at 10:20 a.m. and Chaar 10 minutes later.

D.W. Daniel High School Principal Adam Russell said students planned a vigil at 4 p.m. Wednesday to honor and pay tribute to classmates Al-Nasser and Chaar.

It will serve as a gathering for students, faculty, friends, and the community. The school asks that you keep the families and friends of these students in your thoughts and prayers, he said.

"It is important to lean on each other and seek support as we navigate this loss together," Russell said.

Caller reports teens jumping into Lake Hartwell

According to Captain Brett Barwick of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, a caller reported on Saturday at 10:28 p.m. that three teenagers had jumped into Lake Hartwell. One was rescued by a boat, but two could not be located.

Upon investigating, officials discovered the teenagers jumped into the lake between Pike Road and Old Jewel Bridge Road.

Teens were in group chat

Barwick stated that the three teenagers were in a group chat, challenging each other to see who could swim across the lake. "Unfortunately, one of them got into distress, and another person jumped in to help. Tragically, both of them drowned in the current under the bridge."

First responders from Pickens, Anderson, Oconee, and Greenville counties, as well as the Clemson University Emergency Management and Fire/EMS agencies, responded to the call to help search for the two teenagers.

Search for teens continued for days

The initial search began at 11 p.m. Saturday. Officials deployed boats and divers to try and locate the two teenagers.

After two days of extensive searching, around 11 a.m. Monday, officials found the bodies of the two teenage boys, located roughly 8 feet apart in an area of the lake that was 15 to 16 feet deep.

"Muddy and murky waters made it difficult for divers to find the two teenagers. Divers could only see a couple of inches in front of their faces," Barwick said.

Statement from School District of Pickens County

"The loss of these young lives is a profound tragedy, impacting not only their families but also their classmates, teachers, and the broader community. In times like this, our priority is to provide the necessary support and care to our students, staff, and families."

"We have a dedicated team of school counselors, psychologists, and mental health professionals ready to assist anyone in need during this difficult time."

The school asks for privacy and respect for the families as they navigate through this unimaginable loss. "Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy."

Al-Nasser played soccer

Al-Nasser and Chaar were both 10th-grade student-athletes with their whole lives ahead of them.

Al-Nasser played soccer at Daniel High School and helped them win the State Soccer Championship.

His English teacher, Amy Elrod, said that as a ninth grader, he didn’t make the varsity soccer squad, but he used that as motivation to make the team, which he did as a sophomore. "Rayan was smart, determined, and kind, but he will be remembered most for his joy," she said.

Math Teacher Leeann Qualkinbush said, "He was well-liked by his peers. He had a smile that lit up every room and was a person that so many people loved so much."

Zakaria Chaar played tennis

Chaar played tennis at D.W. Daniel High School. His tennis coach, Jon Parker, said, "I will always think of the word perseverance and think about never giving up.

"Zak was cut from our team during his first year of trying out because he needed more experience and time playing," he said. "The next week at Spindletree Racquet Club, he showed up and started working to get better on the tennis court."

Zak came back a year later and made the team, Parker said.

"I'll never forget his smile on the tennis court and around the school building when seeing him," he said.

Pickens deputies add extra patrol

Captain Barwick of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office said, "We will have deputies on extra patrol around the lake area near Daniel High School."

Staff writers Terry Benjamin and Chalmers Rogland contributed to this article.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: DW Daniel High mourns loss of students who drowned, what we know so far