BERLIN RESERVOIR Body of drowning victim, 15, surfaces
The boy's sister tried to save him when his clothes apparently were caught on underwater branches, the sheriff said.
BERLIN -- The body of Earl Spencer, 15, of Alliance surfaced this morning at Berlin Reservoir.
Spencer had gone swimming in the lake during a family outing Monday, when temperatures hit the mid-80s. His body surfaced just before 8 a.m. today near Berlin Station Road, about 100 yards from where he had last been spotted Monday.
The boy, wearing baggy blue jeans, was last seen around 12:30 p.m. Monday, said Maj. Michael Budd of the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department. The boy's family described him as a competent swimmer, Budd said.
Deep water
Spencer had been swimming in an area of the lake just off Bedell Road usually used for fishing. He apparently swam out too far in the 15-foot deep water in the lagoon-type section of the lake and may have snagged his clothing on branches and undergrowth, Budd said.
The entire lake is available for swimming, but the designated swimming area is by Mill Creek Campgrounds off Bedell Road, Budd said.
The boy's sister tried to save him, but he apparently lost his breath, Budd said.
The sheriff's department dive team searched until 8:30 p.m. Monday when darkness began to settle in. The team, led by Bill Hack, a reserve deputy, had been prepared to resume their search today at 9 a.m.
Boats equipped with grappling hooks from Berlin Township and Deerfield fire departments were used in Monday's all-day search.
Budd said the last drowning occurred in 1999.