5 dead in attempt to save a struggling swimmer in an Ohio river, sheriff
says
[July 21, 2026]
POWELL, Ohio (AP) — Five people have died on a river in Ohio
after several of them went into the water to help another person who was
struggling to swim, authorities said Monday.
The group had gathered Sunday along the Scioto River in the Columbus
suburb of Powell when one of them went into the river for a swim.
“That’s when the tragedy started to occur,” Delaware County Sheriff
Jeffrey Balzer said at a news conference. He said others who jumped in
to help also began struggling. |
A view of the Scioto River near where multiple people died after several
of them went into the water to help another person who was struggling to
swim Monday, July 20, 2026, in Powell, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) |
|
A motorist called 911 after spotting a frightened child with the
group who was running along a nearby road to seek help, Balzer
said.
Rescue crews searching the water later Sunday found two women
who were 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 Office.
Authorities did not say exactly where the victims were found.
The river was running high and fast on Sunday, according to data
from a U.S. Geological Survey water gauge at the nearby dam. The
data shows the water was flowing at a rate of about 350 cubic
feet (10 cubic meters) per second on Sunday — more than a
fourfold increase over a three-day span, and more than double
the average rate.
The tragedy occurred two days after five people were killed in
southern Utah after a flash flood swept through scenic red rock
canyons during a hiking excursion.
The Ohio sheriff said the 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, he said.
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?” Balzer said. “Make sure you have other
people around in case something goes wrong to notify someone.”
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