It was a busy weekend for first responders in Chattooga County with several tragic accidents. 

On Friday evening, a seventy-four-year old Subligna area man lost his life in a drowning accident.  According to the sheriff’s office, around 4:40 PM, first responders were called to the scene of a pond on private property.  Reports said that Eric Scoggins was in a boat in his pond and the boat capsized, sending Scoggins into the water. A Subligna firefighter and a sheriff’s investigator entered the water and located the victim, who did not survive.

Early Saturday morning, EMT’s and law enforcement responded to the scene of an ATV accident between Menlo and the Perennial Springs Community.  Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader confirmed that a seven-year-old child, who was riding an ATV alone, was thrown from the ATV and died as a result of injuries.  The sheriff said that the child was from out of town and no names were released.

Saturday afternoon, Atrium Health Floyd EMT’s and the Georgia State Patrol responded to a single-vehicle accident on Highway 48 at Sunnydale Road.  According to Georgia State Patrol Rome Post 38 Commander Chris Harris, the driver of the vehicle flipped and was taken to the Atrium Health Floyd Chattooga Emergency Department with injuries. The Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office released a statement about the accident to WZQZ News on Sunday evening saying, “A west bound Jeep Compass left the roadway on Georgia 48 for unknown reasons and struck a guy wire damaging a power pole before flipping over and coming to a final rest on its top.  The driver was transported to Atrium Chattooga for treatment.  The investigation continues into this crash due to the driver leaving the medical center before speaking with investigating the Trooper”.