Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A 20-year-old male was the victim of a drowning incident on Point A Lake Monday afternoon.

According to the River Falls Police Department, a distress call from the Point A swimming area was received at approximately 3:36 p.m. It was reported to law enforcement that the male victim had submerged underwater and failed to resurface.

Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers learned that the male, whose name is being withheld at this time, had been swimming with friends and had swam out to some water buoys before attempting to return to shore. Witnesses reported that the victim was holding onto a buoy and one of his friends swam back to assist him; however, due to a strong current, the friend was unable to retrieve him and had to return to shore.

River Falls Police Chief Marcus Laster said officers and deputies with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office made multiple attempts to find the victim.

“Our officers and deputies entered the water in an attempt to locate the male individual, but the windy conditions and strong current hindered their efforts,” Laster said. “Our department’s boat and dive team were deployed, along with the Opp Rescue dive team, to locate and recover the male individual. Multiple attempts were made, but the windy conditions and current continued to pose challenges.”

Law enforcement contacted PowerSouth to assist by shutting off the dam, which Laster said helped to slow the current and facilitated the dive team’s efforts.

At 5:52 p.m. that evening, the dive team located the deceased individual in 12 feet of water. The body was recovered and brought to the surface by the dive team and the family was notified of the recovery by Sheriff Blake Turman, who went to the family’s home.

Laster said his office will not disclose the victim’s name at this time out of respect for the family. He added that there is no suspicion of foul play.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to our dive team members, Opp’s Fire and Rescue dive team, along with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and E-911 dispatchers, the District Attorney’s office, ALEA and SBI, Pardon and Paroles, Advanced EMS, River Falls Fire Department, Coroner Norman Hobson, and PowerSouth for their assistance,” Chief Laster said. “This incident is a tragedy in our community and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”