18-year-old Dawson man dies in suspected swimming accident in Perry Twp.
Warning: getimagesize(): Filename cannot be empty in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 139
Warning: Division by zero in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 142
The body of an 18-year-old man was found by dive teams following a suspected drowning accident near the Layton Bridge in Perry Township Monday evening, officials said.
State police identified the man as Nathan Klein of Dawson.
An investigation is ongoing into the death, which preliminarily appeared to be accidental, according to John Kondrla, scene specialist with the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.
“They were trying to swim across the river,” said state police Trooper Robert Broadwater, adding Klein had two friends with him.
“It seems like he just got exhausted,” he said.
Rescue workers were called to the scene about 5 p.m., according to Fayette County 911. Dive teams and other officials remained on the scene into the evening, searching the Youghiogheny River. The man was pronounced dead about 8 p.m.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” said Perry Township Supervisor A.J. Boni.
The body was found south of the Layton Bridge in water that was about 9 feet deep, Broadwater said.
“It’s sad that a kid lost his life. It’s just sad,” he said.
State police, Perry Township and Dawson fire departments, Fayette EMS, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, railroad officials, Allegheny General Hospital medics, the Fayette County coroner, and dive teams from Murraysville and Fayette County were called to the scene.
An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday.
“The river is beautiful to look at, but can be very dangerous,” Boni said.