Rayan Alnasser, 16, and Zakaria Chaar, 15, sophomores at D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina, tragically drowned in Lake Hartwell in the late hours of May 18, 2024, after taking a dare to jump off the Twelve Mile River Bridge.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident started as a jest in a group chat. Both teenagers met at the bridge where Alnasser took the plunge but started struggling immediately. Chaar jumped in attempting to rescue his friend but was also engulfed by the powerful current.
“An eyewitness from the shore suggested that Alnasser’s troubled landing might have contributed to his distress,” stated Chief Deputy Chuck James. A teenager from the shore contacted 911 at 10:28 p.m., reporting that Alnasser and Chaar remained submerged and were nowhere to be found.
Emergency personnel were on the scene in minutes, initiating a search operation involving divers, boats, and sonar technology. The search extended into Sunday and carried on until Monday morning. Cadaver dogs were employed to aid the search and the bodies of the two young boys were eventually located at around 11 a.m. Monday in a 15-foot deep section of the lake.
Captain Brett Barwick from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office noted that other teenagers had previously jumped from the bridge without any untoward incidents. He pointed out that a powerful current beneath the bridge had created a perilous situation for the victims this time.
The Pickens County School District extended its “deepest condolences and prayers” to the families and the community. “The loss of these young lives is a profound tragedy not only impacting their families but also their classmates, teachers, and the wider community,” the district said. “During times like this, our priority is to offer the necessary support and care to our students, staff, and families.”
Rayan Alnasser, a soccer player at D.W. Daniel High School, received a touching tribute from his coach, Thomas Izaguirre on Facebook. “I would trade every trophy and even my life to have him back with his family,” Izaguirre wrote. “Rayan, you will be missed. “I will forever hold you in my heart. I love you, Rayan. Rest in peace.”
The incident has left the school community in a state of mourning, with students grappling with intense grief. A junior at D.W. Daniel High School, Mackenzie Witt, shared how the tragedy has affected her peers. “It has affected many people because they were incredibly friendly to everyone,” Witt said to WSPA. “I believe they would be happy to see the community coming together, not just being sad. They would want everyone to support and love each other, to be happy and united.”
The school district announced plans to hold a vigil to honor the two students, providing an opportunity for the community to come together and remember them. Counselors, psychologists, and mental health professionals are available to assist students, staff, and families during this challenging time.
Law enforcement has issued a warning about the dangers associated with stunts like these, emphasizing the significant risks involved in jumping off bridges. “TikTok trends or habits that encourage people to jump off bridges or engage in similar actions are inherently unsafe,” said Chief Deputy Chuck James.
