Over the weekend, tragedy struck a family in Anderson, South Carolina, when twin 3-year-old boys were found in the bottom of a backyard swimming pool.
Caleb Marcengill was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon at Greenville Memorial Hospital, according to deputy coroner, Don McCown. His brother, Ezekiel Marcengill was placed on life support and passed Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred at a social gathering the family attended. Around 12:30 p.m., a group of children went outside to play, McCown said. Authorities responded around 2:20 p.m. after the toddlers’ older sister found them under the water.
According to McCown, the boys likely were submerged for 15 to 20 minutes. Family members attempted resuscitation, however, Caleb was pronounced dead at 3:21 p.m. Saturday, Ezekiel around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
According to USA Today, the children’s father encouraged everyone to hug their loved ones.
“Hold them tight,” he said Sunday. “You protect your kids as best as you can. They reach an age where they can run around and play. How do you defend against everything?”
The above-ground pool was within a fence, which needed a key for entry. However, McCown believes, the twins crawled under or climbed over the fence. “There’s a pretty good gap on one side of the fence and pretty much an adult could’ve crawled under it,” he said.
The deaths were ruled accidental drownings.
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