the boy went swimming in a lake in hilamilton township. drew, i know you spoke with a boy that was with this team when a current swept him away. >> reporter: county leaders were out here, they grimly had to tell us a couple of hours ago they had not been able to find that 17-year-old yet. right now, you can see there's a police officer guarding this access road. and tonight, it was very difficult for search crews out there. rescuers worked a wide area through a winding creek and marsh. we spoke to 15-year-old jared who went swimming with three other boys at the last day of school. >> the current was so heavy, it took him. >> reporter: they went in right after a heavy rainstorm. when the 17-year-old got into trouble, he tried to pull him to safety. >> i reached out to grab him, but we were like this, and since the current is so strong, it took him away from my hand. >> reporter: he says the boy gasped for air and vanished. they ran to a ranger for help, then the search began. they used boats, divers, people on the ground and in the air. >>