Bodies Of 2 11-Year-Old Boys Found In South Chickamauga Creek

  • Monday, September 23, 2013

The bodies of two missing 11-year-old boys were found in South Chickamauga Creek on Monday.

The Tyner Middle School students had gone swimming in the rain-swollen creek on Sunday afternoon.

The bodies were found about 100 yards downstream from where they entered the water.

Tyner Middle School Principal Mark Smith said, "As a school family, we are extremely saddened and heartbroken that we are unable to locate our two children, Thomas and Kentory ... Our hearts go out to their parents and other family members in this time of crisis."

Over 60 police and rescue personnel were searching for Kentory Ray and Thomas Ruffin.

Police Chief Bobby Dodd said police received a call about the missing boys at 4:30 p.m. Officers responded to 3919 Juniper St.

Police were told that the boys, along with two other young boys, walked to the creek from behind the Cromwell Apartments.

Two of the boys got in the creek to swim, while two others stayed on the bank.

The boys on the bank said the boys in the creek began floating down the river toward town. They said their heads were above the water and they did not appear to be in danger.

The two boys who did not get in the water then alerted others about the two who washed down the creek.

He said four divers had been in the creek searching for the boys.

Other officers had been going door to door in nearby neighborhoods.

The boys apparently knew how to swim, it was stated.

A command post was set up at Cromwell Road and Camilla Drive. Juniper Street is off Camilla Drive.

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