Man slips into river, drowns

A Connellsville Township man drowned Monday in the Youghiogheny River in South Connellsville.

David Laws, 34, was walking along the river yesterday afternoon with a friend, said Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly.

"He stepped off into a deep area that wasn't suspected and went under," said Reilly. "He tried to get himself up, but he wasn't a strong swimmer."

Fayette County 911 said the initial call for help came in at 4:32 p.m.

Laws and his friend were among a group of about 40 people spending the afternoon at the river near Turtle Rock, a popular swimming spot.

Taylor Dynes, 16, of Connellsville, was about to leave the area when he heard cries for help.

"As soon as we were getting ready to cross the tracks, we heard 'Help, he's drowning,'" Dynes said. "I took off my shoes, jumped in and tried to find him."

Eventually, Dynes did.

"This white image came across my feet," Dynes said. "I had his leg."

Dynes said he was among several people who helped to bring Laws to shore.

After Laws was pulled to the surface, attempts to revive him began.

That was the scene as Steve Helms, South Connellsville's first assistant fire chief, arrived at the scene.

"The victim was out of the water and up on the bank," Helms said. "Somebody had already dragged him out of the river and tried to resuscitate him."

Helms said he heard conflicting reports on how long Laws was under water, but all reports indicated the victim was submerged for at least a few minutes.

Laws was taken to Highlands Hospital where he was pronounced dead by the emergency room physician at 5:25 p.m.

Reilly said the death was ruled accidental and the cause was asphyxiation by drowning.

Some additional lab studies will be conducted but no autopsy will be performed, Reilly said.

Joining the South Connellsville Fire Department at the scene was the Connellsville Township Fire Department, South Connellsville police and Connellsville Emergency Medical Services.

Funeral arrangements reportedly will be handled by Martucci Funeral Home, in Connellsville.