Grim final photo believed to show five friends fishing before deadly Ohio river tragedy

POWELL, OHIO: A haunting photograph taken by a longtime boater may have captured the final moments of the five adults who later drowned in Ohio's Scioto River during a desperate rescue attempt.

The image, taken on Sunday, July 19, is believed to show two couples and their friend fishing in waist-deep water just hours before tragedy struck, leaving at least two young children orphaned. 

The man behind the photo, Baptist pastor Marcus L Martin, said he had no idea at the time that the image could become their last. "I believe the picture I took may have been the last picture of them being alive," Martin said.

Pastor recalls final photo before Ohio river tragedy

Martin, who has spent the last 10 years boating along the Scioto River, told The Associated Press that something about the scene immediately caught his attention.

"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, he said. 

As he passed by, Martin noticed five adults standing in the water while two children remained on a nearby grassy bank. When he returned about two hours later, the group was still there.

"I don't know what it was. I said, I just need to capture this picture," he recalled. Martin admitted he briefly considered warning the group because he knew the area could be dangerous.

However, with several boats already nearby, he decided against crossing through the water and creating additional waves. After learning what had happened, the pastor said he has been losing sleep over the decision not to speak up.

Ohio river rescue attempt ends in five deaths

Authorities said the tragedy began when one member of the group entered the river for a swim and started struggling in the water.

Two other adults immediately jumped in to help but also found themselves in distress. The remaining two adults then rushed into the river in one final attempt to rescue them.

None of the five made it back to shore. The bodies of two women were recovered on Sunday, while search crews found the bodies of the three men on Monday, July 20.

Officials later confirmed that two sets of parents were among those who died, leaving at least two young children without their parents.

Four Ohio drowning victims identified as Hondurans

Honduran authorities confirmed on Tuesday, July 21, that four of the five victims were Honduran nationals.

Among those identified were Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife, Marina Suyapa Regalado, 28.

Authorities said the identities of the second couple and the fifth victim will be released once all family members have been notified.