Pocono News Section

Central PA Drowning Victim Identified

Central PA Drowning Victim Identified - Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 @ 04:30pm EST
Wolf Township, Lycoming County-

A Muncy teenager drowned Tuesday afternoon at a popular swimming spot near Hughesville in Lycoming County.

State police have identified the drowning victim as 18-year-old Thomas Edward Rogers, of Muncy.

Police say around 2pm Tuesday, Rogers was swimming with friends in a popular area of Muncy Creek near Pine Run Road known as “The Point.”

But one day later, no one is swimming here.

Carl Snyder, of Hughesville, said, “There’s supposed to be some whirlpools back there. That’s what one of my friends said. There’s a whirlpool back there and about 10 feet of water or it gets deeper back in there.”

We’re told Rogers’ friends tried to rescue him, but couldn’t reach him in time. Divers pulled his body from the water about 10 minutes after their arrival.

Firefighters and neighbors say this is not the first time someone has drowned in this portion of Muncy Creek. It’s a popular swimming spot, but they say it can be very dangerous.

Snyder recalled, “Well they had it happen here once before a kid drowned. I don’t know how many years ago, but they shut the swimming hole down and I guess the kids ended up coming back here.”

The water is about 15 feet deep where Tuesday’s tragedy struck. Now with warmer weather on the way, officials are urging everyone to be extra cautious when deciding where to swim.

Snyder added, “I don’t know. I don’t know how they’re going to stop people from going back there. I’m surprised there ain’t people back there now swimming.”

Officials want to remind people that they are swimming at their own risk at swimming holes throughout the area.