ATLANTA, GA — The city of Atlanta and the Pace Academy community are mourning the heartbreaking loss of 17-year-old Hart Allen, a beloved student and athlete who tragically died on Saturday, June 21, after being electrocuted while swimming near a residential lake dock.
According to authorities, Allen was enjoying a summer outing when he was fatally shocked in the water, believed to be due to faulty electrical wiring or exposed equipment connected to the dock. Despite immediate efforts from nearby individuals and emergency responders, he could not be revived.
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The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of grief, remembrance, and calls for increased awareness of water-related electrical hazards.
A Respected Student and Compassionate Leader
Hart Allen had been a student at Pace Academy since 2017. Known for his quiet strength and warmth, he was an active member of the school’s water polo and lacrosse teams and a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He had recently been inducted into the Order of the Arrow, an honor reserved for Scouts who best exemplify the values of leadership and service.
“He wasn’t just a good kid—he was the best of us,” said a teammate on the lacrosse team. “He always showed up for people. He made you feel like you mattered.”
Hart’s teachers praised his curiosity and insight, while his friends recalled his selflessness and ability to lift others up with kindness and encouragement.
Safety Concerns Spotlighted After Tragedy
In the wake of Hart’s death, safety experts and public officials are renewing calls for awareness around electrical hazards in and near lakes. The phenomenon—known as electric shock drowning (ESD)—can occur when current from dock wiring or nearby equipment leaks into the water.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” said a local official. “It highlights the urgent need for regular inspections of private and public dock installations, especially during the summer.”
Honoring a Life of Purpose
A public memorial service for Hart Allen will take place on Thursday, July 3, at 10:00 a.m. at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. Guests are encouraged to wear Pace Academy colors, team jerseys, or Scout uniforms in honor of his passions.
The Allen family has expressed gratitude for the wave of support they’ve received and is requesting that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to organizations that promote water safety and electrical hazard awareness—causes they hope will prevent similar tragedies.
A Light That Will Endure
Though his life was tragically cut short, Hart Allen leaves behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and community. He is survived by his parents, siblings, and a wide circle of family, friends, teachers, and mentors who say they are forever changed by having known him.
“He gave us so much in so little time,” said a Pace Academy faculty member. “Now it’s our turn to carry his light forward.”