BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

A Shell Knob teenager drowned on Friday at Table Rock Lake.

According to the Central Crossing Fire Department, at 1:06 p.m. Friday, crews were dispatched to an area east of the Shell Knob bridge for a reported drowning.

A 14-year-old male was witnessed struggling in the water, and moments later, went under and never resurfaced. Fire rescue crews arrived moments later and began search efforts. Barry County E9-1-1, Mercy EMS, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Southern Stone Fire Protection District all assisted with the search efforts.

Crews on scene utilized aircraft, underwater drones, sonar imaging and other equipment to locate the child, who was found at about 8:50 p.m.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the child jumped off a dock into the lake and was overcome by wind and waves, drowning a short distance from the point of entry. He was recovered by the Patrol’s dive team at the same location.

Vigils were held for the child in Shell Knob and in Cassville on Saturday.