1 dead after car ends up in water at Portage Lakes State Park boat ramps

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio (WOIO) - One person is dead after a car ended up in the water at the Portage Lake State Park boat ramps early Thursday morning.

According to a Facebook post, the New Franklin Fire Department responded to the boat ramps at 4357 State Park Drive for a car in the water around 5:35 a.m.

A man who lives in the area spotted the car submerged in water and called 911 saying, “I live on State Park Drive and I live right out from the launch pad. There’s a car in the water, nose down. I can see the license plate on the back end is sticking out of the water.”

The 911 caller said he could not tell if anyone was actually in the car initially.

The South Summit Water Rescue Team, with team members from New Franklin Fire, Coventry Township Fire, Green Fire, Springfield Fire, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, also responded to the scene.

Firefighters said that around 6:10 a.m., divers found one person in the car.

The victim was removed from the car, and responders attempted resuscitative measures.

Firefighters said the victim was taken to Summa Barberton Hospital and was later pronounced dead.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending proper identification and notification to the family.

After checking the area using sonar and divers, responders did not find any other victims.

New Franklin Police and Officers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources assisted the New Franklin Police Department.

According to the post, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is handling the investigation.