A Bar Harbor man drowned Sunday evening while boating with friends on Donnell Pond in the Hancock County town of Franklin, the Maine Warden Service confirmed.

Ian MacDonnell, 33, was boating with four friends around 5 p.m. when he went into the pond to retrieve a water bottle that had blown off his boat, according to a report by WCSH-TV in Portland.

The warden service said MacDonnell was not a strong swimmer and went under the water. His friends tried to help him by throwing a rope but he was unable to hold on.

Wardens searched the pond until dark Sunday night and plan to return with a dive team on Monday morning. The television station said the investigation is continuing and alcohol has not been ruled out as a cause.


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