Tragedy as boy, five, drowns while swimming in a lake with his family in Pennsylvania’s Moraine State Park
- First responders spent 30 minutes trying to revive the as-yet-unnamed boy
- He was pronounced dead on the shores of Lake Arthur, in Moraine State Park
- He was found in a section of the lake that was only two to three feet deep
A young boy has tragically passed away at the age of five after drowning while swimming in a lake in a Pennsylvania state park.
Several agencies were called to Pleasant Valley Beach in Moraine State Park just before 2 p.m. Monday after reports that a five-year-old boy did not respond, park manager Drew Dustin revealed.
While first responders performed lifesaving measures on the as-yet-unnamed boy for about half an hour, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene on the shores of man-made Lake Arthur.
Officials said he was swimming in the authorized swimming area, which has a maximum depth of just five feet. He was found in a part of the lake that was about two to three feet deep.
It is currently unknown if his family was in the water when their son drowned.
The young boy was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders spent about 30 minutes trying to resuscitate him (Stock)
He was found in a section of the artificial lake that was only two to three feet deep
Park rangers, who are investigating the tragic incident, have said they do not suspect foul play
Officials said it’s rare for anyone to drown at the lake, claiming the last drowning happened about five years ago
Officials said that while people are allowed to swim in the area, they do so at their own risk as there are no lifeguards.
Park rangers are currently investigating, who added that no foul play is suspected.
Dustin said drownings at the lake are very rare, with the last one happening about five years ago.
The tragic news has hit the local area hard.
“I can’t imagine what the parents are going through. It’s terrible,” said Bobby Morrow of nearby Portersville WPXI.
He said he and his 9-year-old son swim nearly every weekend at the same spot where the boy drowned.
‘My heart collapsed. Having a little one the same age and being in this water is heartbreaking and difficult. I can’t even begin to fathom it,’ he said.
“All I can think about is the heartbreak. The heartbreak,” Morrow added.