LAKE WALLENPAUPACK -- Emergency crews say what began as a fun holiday on Lake Wallenpaupack in Wayne County turned into the search for a missing man.
Crews were called to the lake in the middle of the afternoon to search for the man in the water.
“I was swimming and having a good Fourth of July and then, all of a sudden, all the ambulances and fire trucks and everybody came,” said Debbie Petrasek of New Jersey.
Officials say the 35-year-old man was swimming off a boat in the lake and never returned.
Divers from nine different departments were called in to help find the unidentified man.
Emergency crews say visibility in the lake made the search difficult.
A man from New Jersey says he loaned his boat to help with the search.
“The crews showed up. The diver was looking for a boat. They were like, 'We need a boat'. So, I gave him my boat,” said Gerard Painter.
Lakeville Fire Chief Bob Boogertman says, no matter what type of swimming experience you have, you should always practice safety first.
“When you're swimming in Lake Wallenpaupack, no matter who you are and what you are, you should wear a life jacket,” said the chief.
Emergency crews say they will resume the search first thing tomorrow morning.
