ELM SPRINGS (KFSM) -- A father of two drowned at Lake Elmdale outside Elm Springs on Sunday night (Aug. 16) while trying to save his dog, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The man drowned at 7:40 p.m. after getting out of his pontoon boat following his dog, who jumped out, according to the commission. The dog was able to make it back on the boat. However, although the man's family said he was a good swimmer, he struggled to swim while in the water Sunday night and was unable to return to the boat. The man had two teenage children.
Crews were out from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. this morning, then returned later in the morning to resume the search. Benton and Washington County Emergency Crews are on the scene searching for the man now. Elm Springs Police and Cave Springs Fire Department were the first to arrive. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is also there, leading the search.
The lake is located southwest of Elm Springs, in the northern part of Washington County.