A promising soccer player from Georgia has tragically drowned at the age of just 17.
Elijah Lemeuble was a rising star for Grovetown High School in Columbia County who recently committed to play soccer in college. But friends, family and fellow pupils are now in mourning after he died at Wildwood Park.
According to reports, the authorities were alerted to a possible drowning shortly before 8pm on Saturday, April 11.
Wildwood Park contains Clarks Hill Lake and it is said that a dive team found Lemeuble’s body less than an hour later.
Students at Grovetown High School honored the late soccer star this week, with one teammate telling WRDW: ‘It feels like a nightmare that I haven’t woken up from.’
Back in January, Huston-Tillotson University announced that Lemeuble would join its soccer program this fall. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Lemeuble’s family, with nearly $20,000 of its $50,000 target already raised.
Elijah Lemeuble (c), a promising soccer player from Georgia, has tragically drowned aged 17
The page was created by Amare Pryce, who claimed ‘Elijah was more than just my childhood friend — he was like a brother to me.’
Pryce continued: ‘We grew up together, sharing memories and milestones from the fourth grade all the way through adulthood. Yesterday, Elijah’s life was tragically cut short in an accident at Wildwood Park.
‘His family and friends, including myself, are mourning him deeply. We paid our respects earlier this afternoon at his house, and the pain of losing someone so special is overwhelming.
‘Elijah was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a great athlete—a soccer star who holds the record for most goals at Columbia Middle School and was on his way to break the record at Grovetown High School.
‘His kindness, laughter, and spirit touched so many lives in our community. Now, his family is facing unimaginable grief and the many challenges that come with such a sudden loss.’
The money raised will be used to help fund funeral costs as well as ‘memorial arrangements, and any other support’ to help the family ‘through this incredibly difficult time.’
‘For those who come across this, we would truly appreciate your help. Elijah’s memory deserves to be honored, and his family needs our support more than ever,’ the page continued.
‘Any contribution, big or small, will make a difference. Thank you for helping us remember Elijah and for standing with his loved ones.’
