LITTLE ROCK — A 6-year-old Wilmar boy drowned Wednesday afternoon in Lake Monticello in northwest Drew County while swimming near the shore of the lake, authorities said.
Benjamin Hayes knew how to swim and his parents had urged him to stay near the shore, Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober said.
Benjamin’s family reported him missing at 3:50 p.m. First responders arrived at 3:58 p.m., followed by a 20-member search-and-rescue team along with three divers, Gober said.
Divers discovered Benjamin’s body in 8 to 10 feet of water on the lake’s south side near the Arkansas 35 access point at 5:22 p.m., Gober said. He was taken to Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticellowhere he was pronounced dead.
The current in Lake Monticello on Wednesday was swift, Gober said.
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 05/31/2012