Five people drowned in Ohio after attempting to rescue a struggling swimmer during a fishing trip along the Scioto River, authorities said.
The incident occurred Sunday evening near the suburb of Powell, just outside Columbus. Two women were pulled from the river Sunday night and later pronounced dead at local hospitals. The bodies of the remaining three victims, all men, were recovered Monday after search efforts resumed.
Delaware County Sheriff Jeff Balzer said the group had gathered along the river “to enjoy themselves on a summer evening,” including fishing, when one person entered the water and began to struggle.
A passing driver called 911 shortly after 9 p.m. on July 19 after spotting a distraught young child running along State Route 257, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The child told the driver that family members were in the river.
Officials stand at a staging area after an operation to recover multiple people who died while trying to save someone from the Scioto River in the Columbus suburb of Powell, Ohio, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)
" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?w=696" height="683" width="1024" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?w=696" alt="Officials stand at a staging area after an operation to recover multiple people who died while trying to save someone from the Scioto River in the Columbus suburb of Powell, Ohio, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)" class="wp-image-4656065" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg 3000w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=696,464 696w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=1068,712 1068w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26201692942475.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">
Officials stand at a staging area after an operation to recover multiple people who died while trying to save someone from the Scioto River in the Columbus suburb of Powell, Ohio, Monday, July 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)
As others rushed into the water to try to save the initial swimmer, the situation quickly escalated, Balzer said, with five people ultimately drowning.
TRUMP VOWS IRAN WILL ‘PAY’ FOR KILLING US TROOPS. WHAT COMES NEXT?
Authorities said the group may have included two sets of parents, two children, and another adult.
The children, both under the age of 10, remained on shore during the incident. Balzer said a language barrier initially made it difficult for authorities to gather information from them. They are now in the care of Delaware County Job and Family Services.
Continue reading...
[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
