On a summer afternoon, a mother stood at the edge of a creek in Alabama, doing everything she physically could, and it still was not enough to save her children.
Lolisa Hood had taken three of her five children to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Alabama, on May 30 for what was supposed to be a simple family outing. What began as a day of swimming and laughter ended in unimaginable tragedy.
The family had originally planned a trip to a water park, but those plans fell through. Determined to give her children a fun day outdoors, Lolisa took them to Turkey Creek after other options were unavailable.
Before allowing them into the water, she made sure they read the posted safety rules. The children stayed in a shallow area where the water only reached their knees, and everything seemed perfectly safe.
Later, as the family prepared to leave, Bryan Scott, 14, King Scott, 12, and Lola Scott, 10, moved toward a deeper section of the creek. What appeared harmless quickly became dangerous when the children entered water estimated to be eight to nine feet deep.
Bryan was the first to call for help. At first, his mother thought he was joking. Then she realized he was struggling.
Although she could not swim, Lolisa rushed into action and managed to pull Bryan to safety. But as she turned toward Lola and King, both children disappeared beneath the water.
Desperate, she called 911 and pleaded with nearby bystanders for help. Several people immediately entered the creek to search for the children while emergency responders rushed to the scene.
After an intensive search, both King and Lola were recovered from the water. CPR was performed, and they were transported to Children’s of Alabama hospital.
Despite the efforts of rescuers and medical staff, both children later died.
According to their mother, King was known for his protective nature, his love of football, and his passion for video games. Lola was a straight-A student who dreamed of becoming a teacher and was active in school programs that encouraged leadership and confidence.
In the days following the tragedy, Lolisa shared an emotional message about her children, expressing gratitude for the time she had with them and thanking everyone who offered support during the family’s darkest hours.
She described King and Lola as kind, respectful, and full of promise, saying they had bright futures ahead of them.
The family has since received support from their community as they navigate an unimaginable loss.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.