5 Dead in Ohio River After Chain Rescue Attempts Go Wrong
Five people are dead after a devastating chain of rescue attempts unfolded Sunday evening on the Scioto River in Powell, Ohio, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The tragedy began when one adult entered the water to swim and began struggling, prompting others to jump in to help — one after another — until five adults had drowned.
What Happened
A group had gathered near Area L of the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir along the Scioto River on the evening of July 19 to enjoy a summer night and do some fishing, authorities said. Shortly after 9 p.m., one person entered the river for a swim and got into difficulty.
“I understand that one person got in the river, was struggling in the water, two people went in to try to save them. Those people started to struggle in the river. Now we had two additional go in the water,” Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said at a news conference, as reported by WOSU Public Media. “That’s when the tragedy started to occur.”
A motorist on State Route 257 / Riverside Drive spotted a “clearly distraught” young child running along the road and called 911. The child told the driver that his family was in the river, prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies, including the Columbus Division of Police dive team, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and local fire departments.
The Victims
First responders pulled two women from the water Sunday night. They were transported to hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. The bodies of three men were recovered from the river on Monday, according to Tracy Whited, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Balzer said authorities believe the group consisted of two sets of parents, two children under age 10, and at least one additional person. The two children, who were on shore during the incident, have been placed in the care of Delaware County Job and Family Services. One of the children is not fluent in English, creating challenges for investigators.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending family notification, the sheriff’s office said.
Dangerous River Conditions
The Scioto River was running dangerously high and fast on Sunday. Data from a U.S. Geological Survey water gauge showed the water flowing at approximately 350 cubic feet per second (10 cubic meters per second) — more than double the average rate and a fourfold increase over three days. The surge suggests recent rainfall had elevated water levels and strengthened currents, creating hazardous conditions that may not have been visible from the surface.
Authorities found no boat or life jackets at the scene. Sheriff Balzer said investigators do not believe an undertow played a role, noting that the high flow rate alone would have created dangerous swimming conditions. Coolers were found at the scene, and the Delaware County Coroner’s Office will determine if alcohol was a factor in the tragedy.
The area where the group was swimming — a small cove or inlet off Area L of the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir — is part of a popular recreational zone near Powell, a suburban community approximately 20 miles north of Columbus.
A Tragic Pattern
This incident is a devastating example of a “chain-of-rescue” drowning — a well-documented phenomenon in which well-intentioned rescue attempts by untrained individuals lead to multiple fatalities. Water safety experts emphasize the “reach, throw, don’t go” approach: using a branch, rope, or flotation device rather than entering the water.
The tragedy occurred just two days after five people were killed in southern Utah when a flash flood swept through red rock canyons during a hiking excursion.
Water Safety Reminder
Sheriff Balzer urged the public to exercise caution near water and know their limits.
“Know your skill level before you get in the water. Are you a confident swimmer? Make sure you have other people around in case something goes wrong to notify someone,” Balzer said. “Any time near water, you need to be competent in your skills, or have some safety devices to be present. There’s no shame in having a life preserver, having a life jacket or something like that.”
Investigation Continues
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident with assistance from the Columbus Division of Police dive team, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, local fire departments, and Delaware County EMS. The coroner’s office will determine whether alcohol played a role in the tragedy.
As the community of Powell and Delaware County mourns this profound loss, two young children face an uncertain future without the parents who died trying to save one another. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.