GWINN — A teenage boy drowned Thursday while swimming with friends in a Marquette County lake.

Initial reports came in about 5:30 p.m. Thursday that friends had pulled the teen from the water at Mehl Lake in Forsyth Township, according to a news release.

The group of teenage boys had been swimming from the shore to a floating raft about 50 to 60 yards out when one teen became distressed and went underwater for several minutes. Others were able to locate and pull him to shore, where they and a resident who observed the incident began initial lifesaving actions and summoned for help.

Forsyth Township Fire & EMS began immediate resuscitation efforts when they arrived but were unable to revive the teen, the news release stated.

“On behalf of the Forth Township Police & Emergency Services team, I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time,” Forsyth Township Chief of Police Brian Kjellin said in the news release. “We stand alongside them and the community as they navigate this tremendous loss.”