Man dies trying to save child swept away by swift river, Tennessee cops say

A man trying to save a child swept away by a swift river died after being “overcome” by the water, Tennessee sheriff’s officials reported.

A group entered the water, unaware of the strong current, near Porters Gap in Halls on Friday, April 18, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The current swept a child away, and Bryan McFeely Jr., 46, of Georgia was overcome trying to rescue the child, officials said.

Emergency crews were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said.

The other adults and children in the river were safely taken to shore, officials said.

“We cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to be vigilant and stay away from flooding areas,” sheriff’s officials said. “Your safety is our priority.”

Halls is about a 65-mile drive northeast from Memphis.