POWELL, OHIO — Five people died after entering the Scioto River in Delaware County, Ohio. The incident occurred on Sunday evening in the Columbus suburb of Powell.

A motorist called 911 around 9 p.m. on Sunday after seeing a distraught child running along State Route 257. The child told the motorist that his family was in the river.

One person entered the Scioto River to swim, and others entered the water to help when that person began struggling. Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said, "And that's when the tragedy started to occur."

Rescue crews pulled two adult women from the water on Sunday. The two women were taken to nearby hospitals and pronounced dead.

Multiple fire and police agencies responded to the scene to assist with search efforts. The bodies of three adult men were found in the river on Monday around 2 p.m.

Tracy Whited, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, confirmed the bodies of three men were found in the river on Monday. Authorities are withholding the identities of the deceased pending family notification.

Two children under the age of 10, including the child who sought help, have been placed in the care of family services. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.

Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said, "Know your skill level before you get in the water. Are you a confident swimmer?" He said, "Make sure you have other people around in case something goes wrong to notify someone. Wear a life preserver."

Wear a life jacket. I get it. People think that somehow those are just for kids. But I tell you, they save everybody’s lives.""

Parts of Ohio experienced scattered showers and thunderstorms on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the Scioto River had risen over the days prior to the incident.

The water in the area where the victims were found reaches a maximum depth of about 40 feet, though it is mostly 20 feet deep or less. The Scioto River is approximately 230 miles long.

The Scioto River flows from west-central Ohio through Columbus and meets the Ohio River in Portsmouth. The Scioto River is a popular location for fishing, kayaking, and boating.

The deaths of five family members illustrate the dangers of entering natural waterways, particularly when currents or depths are unfamiliar. The incident prompted a multi-agency response and an ongoing investigation by local authorities.

The Scioto River has a drainage area of 1,629 square miles, according to U.S. Geological Survey data for the site at Columbus. Delaware County had a population of 993,635 according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey.