Authorities have identified 7-year-old Tristan Cornelius as the child who died in Friday’s drowning incident at Lake Tobesofkee, while one of the two other children involved has been released from medical care.
The drowning occurred at 2:38 p.m. on May 23 at the Michael Dewayne Jones Public Fishing Area when three boys — ages 7, 8, and 10 — suddenly went underwater. First responders from multiple agencies entered the water to rescue the children.
Deputies, Macon-Bibb Fire Department personnel, and Community Ambulance paramedics successfully recovered the 8-year-old and 10-year-old boys, who were transported to a medical facility. The 10-year-old has since been released, while the 8-year-old remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Tristan Cornelius was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
Take Action: The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident and asks anyone with information to contact them at 478-751-7500. A fundraiser has been set up to raise money for Tristan’s funeral expenses. It has only raised $1,270 so far.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
