Child Drowns on Smith Lake

By Sam Poe
Sunday, May 25, 2014 | 2:05 PM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=2137

Joseph Malachi Alexander, age 7 of Arley, was killed in a drowning accident Sunday afternoon. Alexander was with his family enjoying time at the area known as the "cable crossing" on Dismal Creek on Smith Lake. Sheriff Rick Harris reports Alexander was wading in a shallow area with his younger brother, but he got into deeper water and went under. His family retrieved Alexander from the water and rushed him into town by private vehicle because there was no cell service in the area where they were swimming. Once they arrived in downtown Arley, Alexander received CPR from first responders, and he was transported to Walker Baptist Hospital in Jasper where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Alexander did not know how to swim, and he was not wearing a life jacket. 

Responders from the Winston County Sheriff's Department, Arley Police Department, and Arley Fire Department assisted with the accident. Alexander had just completed first grade at Curry Elementary School.