Beaver County man drowns while attending wedding in South Carolina

A Beaver County man who was attending a wedding in South Carolina drowned Saturday, according to the Oconee County coroner.

The man was identified as 26-year-old Kellen Jerome Mackey of New Brighton, according to Coroner Karl Addis.

Emergency dispatchers received a report of a missing person presumed drowned around 2:15 a.m. Saturday in the Martin Creek area of Lake Hartwell near Seneca, S.C.

Mackey was attending a wedding at a home off Cartee Road when he went onto the lake in a kayak without a life vest, Addis said. The kayak overturned, and Mackey could not swim.

Mackey’s body was recovered shortly before noon.

According to a GoFundMe page set up following the incident, Mackey had a 2-year-old son.

“Kellen had an infectious laugh that could make anyone smile,” the page reads. “He was always smiling and was always there for his friends. Kellen Jerome Mackey was only 26 years old when he lost his life. Kellen was a father to his 2-year-old son and had him by his side anytime you saw him. His life meant so much to so many people and will forever be missed.”

Funds raised through the page will be given to Mackey’s mother to help pay for funeral expenses. So far, about $16,870 has been raised out of a $20,000 goal.

“We are all devastated by Kellen’s loss and were not prepared for the high cost of a funeral service,” according to the GoFundMe. “We want to give him the memorial he deserves, to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes.”