NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio — An Akron man died Monday after drowning while swimming with family at Portage Lakes State Park.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 49-year-old Walter O’Neil Cox of Akron.
The New Franklin Fire Department received the call at 2:46 p.m. for an adult male who went under water and failed to resurface while swimming with family at the state park’s swim beach on Manchester Road.
New Franklin police officers arrived first and entered the water attempting to locate the victim but were unsuccessful. The South Summit Water Rescue Team responded with sonar equipment and specially trained rescue divers. The Akron Fire Department Dive Team also assisted in the search operation.
By 5:35 p.m., officials described the search as “a recovery effort.” Divers located Cox’s body at 6:30 p.m. approximately 150 feet offshore in 10 feet of water. The man was removed from the water but could not be revived.
The South Summit Water Rescue Team includes members from New Franklin Fire, Coventry Township Fire, Green Fire, Springfield Township Fire and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. New Franklin Fire also received assistance from New Franklin Police and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation, with the Summit County Medical Examiner expected to conduct an autopsy.
This marks the second fatal water incident at Portage Lakes State Park within a week. Last Thursday morning, one person died after their vehicle was discovered submerged in water at the park’s boat ramps on State Park Drive.
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