ROGERS -- A Bentonville teenager drowned Saturday at Beaver Lake.

Elijah Watson, 19, drowned after he and two females were trying to swim from a point at Martin's Bluff to the other side of the lake, said Keisha Guyll, public information officer for the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

The water was nearly 40 feet deep, and Watson was not wearing a life jacket.

A call was made to Springdale police about 9 p.m. Saturday, regarding a drowning and diving accident, according to dispatch reports.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office also received several calls reporting a disturbance, Guyll said.

"We soon realized it wasn't a disturbance, but a drowning," Guyll said.

After receiving the call, Springdale medics, the Hickory Creek Fire Department and Washington County Sheriff's Office responded with a boat at the scene, said Capt. Eric Smith of the Springdale Fire Department.

The Benton County Dive Team recovered the body about midnight, Smith said.

Arkansas Game & Fish and Corps of Engineers personnel also responded, Smith said.

"No drugs or alcohol is thought to have played a part," Guyll said. "A toxicology (report) will be done."

The body will not go to the state Crime Lab, as no foul play is suspected, Guyll said.

"The Sheriff's Department is investigating and verifying the rest of the details," Smith said.

NW News on 07/14/2014