AMERICUS — The identity of the 19-year-old South Georgia Technical College student who died on campus late Thursday afternoon has been released.
Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith identified her as Adrianna Rhine of Richland. He added that the death investigation is onging.
"Until we can check everything," he said Friday afternoon, "we will continue to have an officer at the scene maintaining the integrity of the scene."
The sheriff said he had met with school officials and people from the state Department of Administrative Services earlier in the day Friday.
Sumter County Chief Deputy Col. Eric Bryant said they were called to the campus shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday to a "possible drowning."
He said upon arrival, along with fire and EMS personnel, the young woman was being pulled from a fountain in front of the Pope Center. She was taken by ambulance to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center's ER but "did not survive," according to Bryant,
Bryant had said Thursday that tthe victim's three-year-old daughter was also pulled from the fountain and is "OK." The sheriff said all he saw was a blue ball in the fountain after the water had been drained.
Sumter County Coroner Greg Hancock said Friday afternoon that the victim's body was taken to the State Crime Lab in Atlanta for autopsy, which had been conducted. He would not comment on the cause of death or manner of death Friday, saying only the results are "pending further investigation."
South Georgia Tech issued a statement late Friday afternoon.
"Adriana Rhine, 18, of Richland, passed away following an unfortunate accident at South Georgia Technical College Thursday, September 27th, announced South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves.
"Ms. Rhine was an adult education student at South Georgia Technical College’s adult education center located in McLain Hall on the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus.
“'We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our adult education students,'” said South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves. “'On behalf of all South Georgia Technical College faculty, staff, and students, I would like to extend condolences to Ms. Rhine’s family and friends'.”
"South Georgia Technical College officials have contracted with Providence Psychological Services of Americus to provide on-campus counseling sessions for faculty, staff, and students. Counselors were available on Friday in the Odom Center Conference room and will be available on Monday, October 1st, in the Adult Education offices in McLain Hall.
"The accident is still under investigation by the Sumter County Sheriff’s office"
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