Five people, including two sets of parents, drowned Sunday night while attempting to rescue a swimmer in the Scioto River in central Ohio, authorities said.
According to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, a group of adults and children had gathered along the river for a summer evening of fishing when one adult entered the water and began struggling to swim.
Two other adults went into the river to help, but they also encountered difficulties. Moments later, two more adults entered the water in an attempt to rescue them. None of the five survived.
Authorities were alerted to the incident around 9 p.m. after a passing motorist saw a distressed child running along a nearby road. The child reportedly told first responders that their family was in the river.
Two women were pulled from the water Sunday night and were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals. The bodies of three men were recovered Monday following an extensive search.
Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said two sets of parents were among those who died, leaving behind young children. Two children under the age of 10 who were with the group have since been placed in the care of family services.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Authorities noted that the Scioto River was flowing at more than twice its average rate at the time of the tragedy and urged the public to wear appropriate safety equipment and avoid entering moving water unless they are confident in their swimming abilities.
