Paragould, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A multi-agency search for a missing swimmer at Crowley’s Ridge State Park ended Tuesday afternoon when authorities recovered the body of an adult who disappeared after helping a struggling child to safety.

According to Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder, Paragould Emergency Services received an unknown trouble call at the park at approximately 7:52 p.m. on Monday.

As deputies were enroute, dispatchers learned that an adult and child had been walking along the trail near the park’s swimming area and jumped into the water. The sheriff noted that the swimming area was already closed to the public when the incident occurred.

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The child began to struggle to stay above water. Authorities said the adult was able to help the child onto one of the large, tied-down inflatable water features. However, while doing so, the adult went under the water and never resurfaced.

Snyder said a state park lifeguard, who was conducting a final sweep of the area after closing time, heard a scream for help and was able to successfully retrieve the child from the water.

An off-duty Greene County deputy who lived nearby quickly responded to the scene using his personal boat. The sheriff’s office deployed Livescope sonar equipment to scour the water.

By 12:20 a.m., the search efforts were postponed, as Snyder noted that several factors hampered the search, including a lack of water visibility, water depths reaching approximately 14 feet, and the presence of the water features. A deputy remained stationed at the scene overnight to secure the area.

Search efforts resumed Tuesday morning, with Greene County deputies being joined by the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Arkansas Game and Fish, and Arkansas State Parks personnel.

Snyder said at approximately 1:20 p.m., the missing adult’s body was found by Craighead County dive team members. The Greene County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and officially pronounced the individual deceased.

The victim’s body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office. Authorities are withholding the individual’s identity until they are identified and next of kin has been notified.

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