ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Officials say a Pelion High School student has drowned while swimming with friends in Orangeburg County.
Marcus Dwyer, 18, died in the Edisto River near the town of North Sunday around 3:30 in the afternoon, according to a report from the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office.
According to witnesses, Dwyer was out with a group of teenage friends near a bridge over the river where it meets Highway 321. One of the teens jumped into the river from the bridge, and several of them encouraged Dwyer to jump in as well.
Dwyer jumped in, but a short time later, began struggling. The report says another of the teen boys thought he was "playing around," and pushed him away.
The report says Dwyer's girlfriend, who was at the river, began calling out his name when she saw that he started to go under the water. She then called 911, and the other teams began searching for him.
A few minutes later, DNR and other rescue personnel got into the water and began searching for him. A short time later, his body was recovered.
The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.
Dwyer was a student-athlete at Pelion High.
Lexington School District One said in a statement, "The Pelion High School community was saddened to learn of the death of one of its 12th-grade students, Marcus Dwyer. Although the Pelion High staff and students are grieving, they are trying to keep the school day as normal as possible."
The district says counselors and school psychologists are at the school to help students and staff. They will watch the students and answer questions.
An account that's affiliated with the school tweeted out this statement:
"Rest in Peace ED. You were a major part of the heartbeat we have here at Pelion High. Thank you for everything. We will never forget you. We love you, Marcus."
According to Pelion High's schedule of events, Dwyer would have graduated on June 7.
This is a developing story. WLTX.com will post more information when it becomes available.