Six teens drown in Shreveport, LA river

Six teens drowned after they waded into unfamiliar waters and fell into a deeper part of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, officials said.

One additional member of the group was rescued, Shreveport Assistant Fire Chief Fred Sanders told CNN.

He said no one in the group of teens, who ranged in age from 13 to 18, could swim.

The victims were part of two families, and three of the victims were brothers, he said.

Divers on scene said the river bed drops from a shallow area to 20 feet, Sanders said.

People nearby heard the teens screaming for help, CNN affiliate KSLA reported.

Local ministers were in the area counseling grief-stricken family members Monday evening, KSLA

said.

"Please lift this family up in prayer," Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover told KSLA.

Comment

Comment by MsPhat on August 3, 2010 at 4:47pm: MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS. LORD GIVE THEM STRENGTH!

Comment by Yolanda (the naughty one) on August 3, 2010 at 2:20pm: Forget reading and writing, our children can't even swim! Swimming sounds like such a basic life skill to me. I used to spend my entire summer at the local rec. that had a swimming pool and now my kids do the same. We really need to get our kids from in front of the tv. We could at least make this a part of the curriculum in schools. It seems like no matter what it is our children always fall behind are doomed no matter which way they turn. How sad.

Comment by Miss Atl on August 3, 2010 at 2:19pm: This is truly sad!...... May the Lord comfort them all in their time of grief!

Comment by Bibi Afrika on August 3, 2010 at 1:41pm: Summer outtings are the bomb, but please watch your children with their little inquisitive minds. Everything looks like an adventure to them. State the boundaries BEFORE you get to the camp or cookout site. Adults, survey the landscape before you take your family and especially children out there. Look for postings of sink holes, loose gravel, poison ivy etc. If there are no postings, call the park administration and ask if there are any such things in the area. Set your children down and let them know what they can an cannot do; where they can and cannot go. Life jackets, ropes etc; these things are survival tools. If there had been a rope there, maybe some or all of those children could have been saved. Teach children emergency procedures prior to going on outtings and above all DO THINGS TOGETHER. Don't let the children just wonder off somewhere alone. I'm so sorry for these families who are suffering. It's a grim reminder that mother nature is beautiful but she can also be dangerous. Peace and blessings to the families.

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