Two teens drown in Lawrence County creek

Staff report

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

Two teenagers drowned at Little Neshannock Creek off Ferris Road in Wilmington Township, Pa., on Sunday afternoon.

John A. Mast, 15, of Mercer, Pa., and Seth C. Byler, 16, of New Wilmington were wading in the creek with two siblings.

Both boys, who did not know how to swim, waded into a sinkhole that was about 8 to 10 feet deep where they drowned at 2:50 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police reported.

The boys’ siblings made unsuccessful attempts to rescue the two boys. Their bodies were recovered 15 feet from the eastern shore and pronounced dead by Deputy Lawrence County Coroner Coroner Al Decarbo.

A forensic examination will be conducted at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver, Pa., today.

The New Wilimington Borough Volunteer Fire Department, Mahoning Township Volunteer Fire Department, Neshannock Township Volunter Fire Department and Water Resuce Unit, Lawrence County Diver Unit and Noga Ambulance assisted at the scene.

There was no indication of foul play, police reported.