Five people died in an apparent mass drowning along the Scioto River in the Columbus suburb of Powell, Ohio. The tragedy unfolded on the night of July 19 at the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir.
Authorities say the incident began when one person went into the river to swim and began struggling. Two people entered the water to assist, followed by two more adults who made an ill-fated rescue attempt of their own.
The emergency was first reported by a passing motorist who called 911 after noticing a frightened child running along a nearby road. Rescue crews found two women, who were pronounced dead at a hospital, and the bodies of three men, who were recovered from the river on Monday.
Two children under the age of 10, including the child who ran for help, have been placed in the care of family services.