Man dies swimming from island in Beaver River in Lawrence County

WEST PITTSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Emergency officials say a 20-year-old man has drowned in the Beaver River in Lawrence County  while trying to swim from an island back to shore with a friend.

Crews in and around Taylor Township say Ronald Poloka swam to an island in the river then began struggling while trying to swim back to shore. A friend with Poloka tried to rescue him but couldn't.

Rescue workers from the Taylor and Shenango townships, and New Castle, say they found Poloka's body about 150 yards downstream. That happened about 9 p.m. Thursday, more than three hours after Poloka went under the water.

Taylor Township Fire Chief Dave Allegro says the river's current remains strong despite lower water levels due to dry conditions.