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Labor Day trip takes tragic turn, community now mourning

At a young age Jacob McCormick touched the lives of so many.

“Jacob was just an outstanding young man,” Ronald Anderson, Jacob’s pastor, said.

Jacob was an identical twin. People usually had a hard time telling he and his brother, Nathaniel, apart. They shared a bond unlike any other.

“They were not just twins, not just brothers, but also best friends,” Anderson told us.

Strong in his faith, when the doors of his church were open, he was there.

Tuesday night was all about honoring him. Difficult moments as tears were shed, but also signs of strength as memories were shared.

“Everybody from young to old in this church knows who they are and they just connected with this church very well,” Anderson said.

An unexpected tragedy putting a hole in people’s hearts. A young life making a lasting impact.

“Very unexpected,” Anderson said. “But no one is guaranteed tomorrow whether you’re 21 or 85. No one has tomorrow in their hand yet.”

On Monday the twin brothers, along with their good friend, went kayaking on Lake Ontario. A severe storm led to reports that the three Altoona men were missing.

After an extensive search Jacob was found dead. His brother and friend Joseph Williams were found alive.

The family is in New York right now. At this time no funeral arrangements have been made.