APG Soldier Dies in Apparent Drowning

UPDATE (10:53 p.m.)—A 19-year-old soldier who served on Aberdeen Proving Ground died Friday as a result of an apparent drowning in Deer Creek in Rocks State Park.

The man is in the Army, but APG public affairs spokesman Joe Ferrare said his identity will not be released until 24 hours his family is notified. As of Friday night, the man's next of kin had not been contacted.

Maryland Natural Resources Police Sgt. Art Windemuth said the victim was with his friends.

"When the five friends had heard the victim yell for help, they went to look for him and could not locate him in the water," Windemuth said. "They immediately contacted somebody to call 911."

The man was reported missing in the vicinity of Maryland Route 24 and Rocks Chrome Hill Road. He was found in the same area at about 5:50 p.m.

Authorities searched for the man for almost two hours after he was reported missing shortly after 4 p.m. The search turned to a recovery mission at about 5:10 p.m.

Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, said the man is originally from Oregon.

Maryland Route 24 was closed from St. Clair Bridge Road to Cherry Hill Road during the search. More than 100 people from Bel Air, Fallston and Darlington volunteer fire companies assisted the Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Rocks State Park service in the search.

A cause of death has not been determined. The man's body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Windemuth said alcohol and drugs were not factors in the death.