Five people died after a chain of rescue attempts in the Scioto River, in Delaware County, Ohio, after one of the members of a group fishing in the area began to have difficulties while swimming.

The tragedy occurred Sunday night in Powell, north of Columbus. According to Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer, the group was enjoying a day of fishing when one of the adults decided to enter the water.

Shortly afterward he began to fight against the current.

“That's when the tragedy began,” Balzer explained at a press conference. As detailed, two people entered the river to try to rescue the swimmer, but they also began to have problems staying afloat. Later, two other people entered the water for the same purpose and were also trapped by the current.

A boy asked for help after seeing his family in the river

While the emergency was occurring, a child who was with the group ran down State Highway 257 until he caught the attention of a motorist.

The minor, described by Balzer as “clearly distraught,” told the driver that “his family was in the river.” The witness immediately called 911, while other people also reported the emergency around 9:25 p.m.

Rescue teams managed to remove two women from the water, who were taken to area hospitals, where they died. The search continued through the night and the bodies of three men were recovered on Monday.

Authorities believe that the person who initially had difficulty swimming is among the fatalities.

Two children were under the protection of the authorities

The Sheriff's Office indicated that, at this time, it will not release the identity of the victims until notification of their next of kin is completed.

Balzer pointed out that among the deceased there could be two pairs of parents, in addition to another person who was part of the group. Also at the scene were two children under the age of 10, approximately 6 and 7 years old, who were placed in the care of the Delaware County Department of Children and Family Services.

According to data from a United States Geological Survey (USGS) meter located near a dam, the Scioto River that day registered a flow of approximately 350 cubic feet per second, more than double its average flow, which would have increased the danger for those who entered the water.

The sheriff took advantage of the tragedy to remember the importance of taking extreme safety measures in rivers and lakes during the summer.

"It is not unusual for a person to have difficulties in the water. Others try to rescue them, but they do not have the necessary skills and we end up with multiple deaths," he said.

Balzer also recommended wearing life jackets when there is any doubt about swimming ability or water conditions.

"There is no shame in wearing a life jacket. It saves lives every day," he said.

The authorities are keeping the investigation open to clarify all the details of the incident.