One swimmer struggled. Four people tried to help. All five died.

Americans are truly amazing.

People in other parts of the world may do the same, but when someone an American loves is in danger, they often act before they think about themselves.

That instinct turned a Sunday fishing trip on Ohio’s Scioto River into an almost unimaginable tragedy.

Authorities say one adult entered the river to swim and began struggling. Two people went into the water to help. When those rescuers also began struggling, two more followed them.

All five died.

A distraught child under 10 ran beside a state highway until a passing motorist stopped. The child said his family was in the river. The driver called 911.

First responders pulled two women from the water Sunday night. Both were pronounced dead at hospitals.

Search crews recovered the bodies of three men the following day.

Authorities believe two sets of parents were among the victims. Another young child had also been with the group.