A man who was boating with a friend died while swimming in western Maine. Nearby boaters helped to pull him from the water but rescue workers were not able to save him.

The Warden Service reports that Jeffrey Mitchell, age 63, from Farmington was boating Tuesday afternoon with a friend, Martha Martin of Wilton. The two planned to go swimming in Wilson Lake in Wilton and sometime after 4, Mitchell jumped into the water and then surfaced struggling.

Martin was trying, without success, to help him back into the boat when two nearby kayakers and another boater helped her to pull him from the water. They took Mitchell to a nearby boat landing where they were met by medical personnel who were unable to revive him.

Wardens say proper flotation devices were in the pontoon boat however he was not wearing one at the time. An investigation is ongoing.

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