MAN DROWNS IN LAKE
GALETON MAN TRIED TO CROSS LYMAN LAKE

Rescue workers found the body of a 20-year-old Galeton man in the Lyman Lake reservoir late Tuesday. The man drowned trying to swim across the lake Monday night. Travis Moshier photo

Additional details emerged on Thursday about a Monday night gathering at the recently restored Lyman Lake that turned tragic when a 20-yearold Galeton man drowned.

Divers recovered the body of Jeremy S. Nealy late Tuesday afternoon after he disappeared while trying to swim across the Potter County lake at about 8 pm Monday.

Lyman Run State Park Manager Chip Harrison reported that Neal was one of five young men who had been fishing from the shore, above the lake's boat launch area, and relaxing after a day's work.

While three of them fished, two of the men decided to swim across the lake, a distance of about 200 yards. One of the swimmers turned back and returned to shore. However, Nealy did not.

His friends notified authorities and a search was conducted on the shore and the surface until darkness fell and the water became murky. The effort resumed after dawn, as surface and underwater searchers covered the lake through a grid system while a helicopter team patrolled from above.

Nealy's body was recovered about 5:30 pm Tuesday in 14 feet of water on the lake's west end and he was pronounced dead by Deputy Coroner Ken Wingo.

State police from the Denton Hill barracks, who are investigating, reported Thursday that alcohol may have been a factor in the drowning, since Nealy tested positive for having ingested alcohol. Police did not elaborate.

Water temperature was about 60 degrees near the surface and 50 degrees below, police reported.

Lyman Lake is in the process of being refilled after being emptied in 2000, when the dam was found to be unsafe. Fishing, boating and wading have been permitted at the lake since its restoration began. The water is not yet high enough to restore the swimming section along the sandy beach.