FILE – Scioto River Sign in Columbus Ohio, with setting sunlight (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Five people died on a river in Ohio after several of them attempted to help another person who was struggling to swim, law enforcement said Monday.
Local perspective:
The tragedy took place along the Scioto River in Powell, a suburb of Columbus.
A group had gathered along the river and one of the members decided to take a dip, Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said during a press conference.
Rescue crews searching the water later Sunday found two women who were subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital, Balzer said.
The bodies of three men were found in the river on Monday, said Tracy Whited, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department.
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Dig deeper:
The Ohio sheriff said that a child who ran for help, prompting the 911 call, has been placed in the care of family services along with another child under the age of 10.
Authorities were working on notifying relatives of the victims, Balzer said.
What they’re saying:
Balzer said people who gather near water must be aware of the conditions and take precautions.
“Know your skill level before you get in the water. Are you a confident swimmer?” he continued. “Make sure you have other people around in case something goes wrong to notify someone. Wear a life preserver. Wear a life jacket. I get it. People think that somehow those are just for kids. But I tell you, they save everybody’s lives.”
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