Whitewater River in Franklin County file photo

(Cedar Grove, Ind.) - A man died after falling from a rope swing into the Whitewater River in Franklin County on Saturday, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers said.

Franklin County Dispatch received a call of a missing person on the river near Cedar Grove at approximately 4:54 p.m.

Witness statements indicated that Clayton J. Seale, 24, of Indianapolis, had been canoeing the Whitewater River as part of a bachelor party. He had gone ashore to jump from a rope swing attached to a large tree.  Witnesses told conservation officers that after Seale dropped from the rope into the water he did not resurface. 

Seale was recovered by friends and resuscitation efforts were begun.  He was transported to a medical facility in Harrison, Ohio where he was pronounced dead. 

Conservation officers said Seale’s death is being considered a possible drowning pending autopsy results.  Alcoholic beverages were involved, but at this time the extent is unknown pending a toxicology test. 

The investigation into the death is ongoing, led by conservation officer Brandon Shoults.

"Indiana Conservation Officers wish to remind recreational water users of the importance of wearing personal floatation devices and the dangers of mixing water recreation with alcohol consumption," said ICO Stephan R. Miller.

Agencies assisting with the incident were the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Franklin County EMS, Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department and New Trenton Volunteer Fire Department. 

Saturday's death is the second this summer on the Whitewater River in Franklin County. A 15-year-old Cincinnati girl drowned while rafting with friends July 8.

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Teen Girl Drowns In Whitewater River