A Basking Ridge man died over the weekend while holding his breath under water in a lake at a bachelor party in Georgia, authorities said Tuesday.

Zach Bunsa

Robert Zachary "Zach" Bunsa, 23, was pronounced dead after party-goers pulled him from Lake Sinclair in Rocky Creek about 6:40 p.m. Saturday, according to Capt. Brad King of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Department.

"He was in town for a bachelor party and apparently he was attempting to see how long he could hold his breath," King said. "It's just an unfortunate, tragic accident."

Bunsa was found near a dock in about 5 to 10 feet of water, officers said.

There were about 15 men at the party and when they realized he was missing, one of the men dove in and pulled him out.

A police officer performed CPR on Bunsa before EMS arrived, King said.

King said other men at the party told officers that Bunsa had been playing a game where he held his breath under water.

"I don't know if that was something that was going on all afternoon or if that was spur of the moment, 'Let me see how long I can hold my breath for' type of thing," King said.

A helicopter was called in case Bunsa could be airlifted for treatment, but he died at the scene, King said.

The coroner pronounced him dead at 7:20 p.m., King said.

King did not know how long Bunsa had been in town or how well he knew the other party-goers, who had been gathered at a home on the lake.

He added no one would be charged in the incident, which he describes as a "terrible accident."

Bunsa attended Koinonia Academy in Plainfield, where he played on the basketball team.

His former employer remembers him as friendly, outgoing and a good worker.

"He was an awesome young man. We were very blessed to have him," said Lauren Rubio, hiring manager for the Harvest Restaurant Group.

Bunsa worked at two of the company's restaurants, starting when he was in high school, Rubio said.

Though he hadn't worked for the company in about a year, his most recent position was as a waiter at Urban Table in Basking Ridge, Rubio said.

"He always carried himself as a mature, strong person, even when we hired him (as a high school student)," she said. "We have only good things to say about him."

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.