PARAGOULD, Ark. — An adult was found dead Tuesday afternoon at Crowley’s Ridge State Park after authorities said the person went underwater while trying to help a struggling juvenile reach safety.
Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder said Paragould Emergency Services dispatched deputies to an unknown problem call at the state park at approximately 7:52 p.m. Monday.
As deputies responded, dispatchers learned that a juvenile and an adult had been walking a trail near the swimming area before entering the water. The swimming area had already closed for the day, according to Snyder.
A state park lifeguard who was conducting a final check after closing heard a young person screaming for help.
The lifeguard was able to retrieve the juvenile from the water.
The juvenile later told authorities they had been struggling to stay above water when the adult attempted to help get them onto one of the inflatable water features and to safety.
During that attempt, the adult went underwater and did not resurface, Snyder said.
An off-duty Greene County sheriff’s deputy who lives nearby responded with his personal boat. The sheriff’s office also brought its LiveScope sonar equipment to the park to assist in locating the missing person.
Crews searched for several hours before suspending operations at approximately 12:20 a.m. Tuesday.
Snyder said darkness, poor underwater visibility, water approximately 14 feet deep and large anchored inflatable water features made the search difficult and created safety concerns.
The search resumed Tuesday morning with personnel from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas State Parks.
At approximately 1:20 p.m., members of the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team located the missing person’s body.
The Greene County Coroner’s Office responded and pronounced the individual dead.
Authorities plan to request that the body be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office.
The identity of the deceased was being withheld Tuesday afternoon pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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