BERTIE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — A family is dealing with a devastating loss, after a mother and son drowned at Bertie Beach.
According to officials, first responders were dispatched to Bertie Beach in the area of Bal Gra Road just after 5:40 p.m. on July 8 for reports of a drowning. Bertie Beach is a recreation area between Windsor and Edenton, on the banks of where the Chowan River meets the Albemarle Sound.
When crews arrived, they rescued an 11-year-old girl and recovered the bodies of 35-year-old Shaunna Jernigan and 14-year-old Timothy Jernigan. Both were found around 150 yards from the shore, deputies said.
The girl told responders that she and her mother, Shaunna, were floating on an inflatable while her brother, Timothy, was swimming nearby. She said once her brother could no longer feel the bottom of the beach, he became distressed. According to the girl, her mother then attempted to rescue her brother.
Officials said lifesaving measures were attempted on the mother and son once they were brought to the shore. The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on the incident, which can be read in part below:
Our community mourns with the family and friends of the victims. The family, friends, our community and first responders, need your prayers during this difficult time. Resources have been made available to the family and first responders. We want to personally thank all personnel that was involved and assisted to include: Merry Hill Fire Department, Bertie County EMS, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, NC Marine Fishery, Windsor Police Department, Bertie County Communication Dispatchers, and beach goers.
Bertie County Sheriff’s Office
In recent years, Bertie Beach has become more popular, and with more regular visitors, it now has a pavilion with an attached bathroom and shower system.
“We like the seclusion,” Megan Birch said. “Not too many people know it. It’s off the grid, very quiet and peaceful.”
The water stays shallow enough to stand in for a long way out. Witnesses told authorities the victims were about 150 feet away from the shore when the drowning happened, and beachgoers 10 On Your Side spoke with said even with how shallow this part of the sound can be, that is further than normal.
There is no lifeguard on duty, and there are signs stating that at the beach. The response time took about 20 minutes, and while beachgoers were able to rescue the 11-year-old girl before first responders arrived, they were unable to get to the mother and son before it was too late.
Discussions are now being had at the county level to possibly add lifeguards to Bertie Beach, according to Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin.
“Those conversations are being held now,” Ruffin said. “How can we keep the citizens and the beachgoers safer.”
This has been tough on the first responders and community, especially with this being such a tight-knit area.
“…We’re not able to save someone, but we tried,” Ruffin said. “That’s the encouragement I gave to my staff and firefighters yesterday, that… you gave it your best.”
The 11-year-old girl has family to stay with, according to Ruffin.
A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with funeral arrangements. If you would like to contribute, click here.
