MANNINGTON, W.Va. — Two people drowned Monday evening while swimming in Dents Run area pond near Mannington.
Marion County Sheriff Jimmy Riffle said four people went to the pond around 6 p.m. Monday.
“Three of them entered the water for a swim to a concrete platform about 200 feet of shore,” Riffle said. “During that, one of the males was struggling and the other two tried to help.”
One of the helpers went under and drowned. Once the the two others got back to shore the first swimmer who was struggling also died, Riffle said.
“They started some CPR on him, but unfortunately both he and the other individual that was located in the water had drowned,” Riffle said.
Riffle said there was no criminal activity or evidence of impairment at the scene.
Riffle advises residents to be very careful when swimming in rivers, ponds or lakes. First, know your ability, know the surroundings and never swim alone or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.