5 dead after group tries to save struggling swimmer in Ohio river

Five people are believed to have died after four of them entered the Scioto River in Ohio to help a swimmer who was struggling, according to local officials. The bodies of two women have been recovered, while crews are searching for three men.

The incident was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday along the Scioto River near O’Shaughnessy Reservoir in Delaware County. A motorist called 911 after seeing a distraught child running along State Route 257 beside the reservoir.

“The child said that his family was in the river,” Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said at a briefing on Monday. “Multiple first responders arrived, and two adult women were quickly pulled from the river.”

Paramedics performed CPR as the women were taken to nearby hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. Crews are now searching the river for up to three men who are also believed to have died.

Investigators believe the group went to the river Sunday evening to fish and spend time near the water. One person entered a small cove or inlet to swim and began struggling, according to Balzer.

Two others went into the river to help but also began struggling, leading two more people to enter the water. Officials believe up to five adults may have entered the river, but Balzer said officials are still trying to determine the exact number because of language barriers.

Two children under the age of 10 were found at the scene and are now in the care of Delaware County Job and Family Services. Officials believe the group may have included two sets of parents, the children and at least one other person, but their relationships have not been confirmed.

A dive team from the Columbus Division of Police is assisting with the recovery operation. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is also using a boat to scan the area where the missing men were last seen.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. Officials have not released the identities of the women or the missing men.