Two Hyde County brothers were killed in a single-car accident south of Columbia on Friday night, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The brothers were residents of Engelhard.

Dylan Michael Edwards, 16, and Brayden Alexander Deanes, 8, were traveling south on N.C. Highway 94 when Edwards apparently over-corrected and ran off the left shoulder. The car overturned and came to rest upside down in a canal on the east side of the road.

The accident occurred between Pity My Shoe Road and Scotia Fire Tower, and the boys were pronounced dead at the scene.

The victims had been inside the vehicle four to five hours when a Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office deputy discovered them, and their mother arrived on the scene shortly afterward, Tyrrell Fire Chief Johnny Spencer said.

Deanes, in the front passenger seat, was still wearing his seat belt, Spencer said. No one else was in the vehicle when the accident occurred.

Deanes was born Dec. 21, 2010, to Kevin Michael Deanes and Misty Jenkins Gibbs. Edwards was the son of Daniel Edwards and Misty Jenkins Gibbs.

“Dylan was as an outstanding student-athlete for the Lakers attending Mattamuskeet Early College High School,” his obituary stated. “He loved all sports, however playing football, basketball, and baseball were at the top of his list.”

Mattamuskeet School announced the tragedy Saturday in this statement:

“Laker Family, It is with heavy heart that we need to inform you that we have lost one of our junior students at Mattamuskeet Early College High School in a car accident. This Monday, Dec. 9, we will be prepared to support any students who are grieving during this time. Please be considerate of the family and others at this time of sadness. Keep the family in your prayers. Please stay safe and we will see you on Monday.”

Spencer scheduled a debriefing Monday night for members of Tyrrell Volunteer Fire Department who extracted the bodies from the vehicle.

“It was very upsetting, and we’re going to get in there and talk about things,” the chief said. “It upsetting to see death, especially kids.”