Father, son among 3 who drowned at Lake Norman State Park

TROUTMAN, N.C. — A hike in a state park turned tragic for seven people, ending with the deaths of a father, son and a family friend when one person slipped in a lake and several others jumped in to help.

Seven people had hiked Sunday evening to the point of a peninsula in Lake Norman State Park, said park superintendent Greg Schneider.

One of them -- authorities aren't sure who -- slipped and fell into the water while playing on rocks near the lake, or wading in shallow water near the rocks, Schneider said.

PHOTOS: Triple drowning near Lake Norman State Park

A 5-year-old, Samuel Restrepo, was revived by a man who heard cries for help while fishing nearby. The fisherman, Kenneth Goad, performed CPR on the boy, who was taken to a hospital in Winston-Salem, Schneider said.

Killed were Samuel's 11-year-old brother, Martin, and the boys' father, 54-year-old Alvaro Restrepo, Schneider said. Also killed was a family friend, 62-year-old Alba Ramos.

Goad, who also pulled Ramos from the water, told authorities that she was submerged for "a very short period of time," Schneider said.

An off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg emergency worker who was on his boat also assisted with CPR and rescue efforts.

Also at the scene, but not injured, were the boys' mother, another son and the mother of Alba Ramos, Schneider said.

"Certainly it is all an unknown,” said Schneider. “There are hazards under the water. It can be broken glass, to down trees, limbs and snags that might be in the water. So you want to swim in a known area."

"It's very unfortunate that anyone would lose a life let alone a child," visitor Mike Bland said.

Iredell County emergency crews responded to the park around 6 p.m., and were supported by the Charlotte, Sherrills Ford and Mooresville fire departments.

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