Five people die after rescue attempt in Ohio's Scioto River
Five adults were found dead after a series of rescue attempts in the Scioto River near Powell, Ohio, where a swimmer had begun to struggle.
Five adults died after a rescue effort turned fatal in the Scioto River near Powell, Ohio, officials said. The incident began when a motorist reported a distressed child running along a state highway, telling police that his family was in the river. First responders pulled two women from the water and transported them to hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. Search teams later recovered the bodies of three men who were also believed to be in the river.
According to Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer, the group had been fishing on Sunday evening when one adult entered the water to swim and subsequently began to struggle. Two other adults attempted to assist, but also encountered difficulty, prompting two additional people to enter the water. Two sets of parents are thought to be among the deceased, and one of the victims is believed to be the initial swimmer, the sheriff's office said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Two children under ten who were with the group have been placed in the care of family services.