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The image of five adults fishing in waist-deep water in the Scioto River is believed to be the two couples and their friend who died trying to rescue each other – leaving at least two young children orphaned.
“I believe the picture I took may have been the last picture of them being alive,” the pic’s photographer, Marcus L. Martin said.
Martin, who has boated along the river for 10 years, felt uneasy on Sunday when he saw the group deep in an area he knew to be treacherous, he told The Associated Press.
“I just remember being taught that area was kind of dangerous, in the sense of there being steep slopes” and a quick drop-off into the river, the Baptist pastor said.
As he was boating along, Martin said saw the five adults in the water and two children on a nearby grassy bank — and the crew was still there two hours later when he returned.
“I don’t know what it was. I said, I just need to capture this picture,” he said.
With over a decade of experience voyaging through the Scioto River, Martin considered warning them of potential danger, but didn’t want to cross between him and two or three other boats nearby, causing too many waves.
The pastor said he’s been losing sleep over the decision not to warn the group after the news broke of the drownings.
The unimaginable tragedy unfolded when one of the friends went in for a dip and began struggling to swim – prompting two of the remaining adults to try to save him, before the last two adults went in to try to save them. None of them – including two sets of parents – made it to the shore.
The bodies of two women were recovered Sunday and three men on Monday.
Honduran authorities confirmed Tuesday that four of the five adults were Honduran nationals.
Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife Marina Suyapa Regalado, 28 have been identified, but the names of the other couple and the fifth individual will be released pending family notification.
With Post wires.
English (US)