A tragedy unfolded on the Scioto River when five friends, including two married couples, drowned while trying to save each other. A frequent boater on the Ohio waterway captured what is believed to be the last photograph of the group alive, moments before the incident.
Marcus L. Martin, a Baptist pastor who has boated on the river for 10 years, described seeing the group of five adults fishing in waist-deep water in an area he knew to be dangerous due to steep slopes and a sudden drop-off. He also observed two children on a nearby grassy bank. Two hours later, upon returning, he learned of the drownings.
"I believe the picture I took may have been the last picture of them being alive," Martin stated, expressing his distress over not warning the group directly. He had hesitated to approach them due to the presence of other boats, not wanting to create disruptive waves.
The sequence of events began when one friend started struggling in the water. Two other adults attempted a rescue, followed by the remaining two adults who also entered the water to help. None of the five individuals, who included two sets of parents, made it to shore.
The bodies of two women were recovered on Sunday, and the three men were recovered on Monday. Honduran authorities confirmed that four of the five adults were Honduran nationals. Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife Marina Suyapa Regalado, 28, have been identified. The names of the other couple and the fifth individual are being withheld pending family notification. At least two young children were left orphaned by the incident.