Body recovered in suspected swimming accident in Perry Township
The body of an 18-year-old man was found by dive teams following a suspected drowning accident near the Layton Bridge in Perry Township Monday evening, officials said.
State police identified the man as Nathan Klein, 18, of Dawson.
An investigation is ongoing into the death, which preliminarily appeared to be accidental, according to John Kondrla, scene specialist with the Fayette County Coroner鈥檚 Office.
鈥淭hey were trying to swim across the river,鈥� said state police Trooper Robert Broadwater, adding he had two friends with him.
鈥淚t seems like he just got exhausted,鈥� he said.
Rescue workers were called to the scene at about 5 p.m., according to Fayette County 911. Dive teams and other officials remained on the scene into the evening, searching the Youghiogheny River. The man was pronounced dead at about 8 p.m.
鈥淥ur thoughts and prayers go out to his family,鈥� said Perry Township Supervisor A.J. Boni.
The body was found south of the Layton Bridge in water that was about 9 feet deep, Broadwater said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 sad that a kid lost his life. It鈥檚 just sad,鈥� he said.
State police, Perry Township and Dawson fire departments, Fayette EMS, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, railroad officials, Allegheny General Hospital medics, the Fayette County Coroner, and dive teams from Murrsysville and Fayette County were called to the scene.
An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday morning.
鈥淭he river is beautiful to look at, but can be very dangerous,鈥� Boni said.
More information will be released as it becomes available.