Fire and police personnel are currently on the scene of a possible drowning in Bauxite.

Yesterday afternoon, at approximately 3:20 pm, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) was dispatched to an area off Mount Olive Road, known as the Blue Hole, for a possible drowning. Fire department personnel also responded and immediately began a surface, as well as an underwater search. That operation was suspended yesterday evening but resumed again this morning shortly after sunrise.

Currently, units from the SCSO, Saline County Office of Emergency Management, Arkansas Game and Fish, Bryant Fire Department, Salem Fire Department, Sardis Fire Department, Hot Springs Fire Department, Grant County Underwater Rescue, Medtran and the American Red Cross are at the location. Efforts are currently underway by underwater divers to locate the victim.

This morning, a SOund Navigation And Ranging (SONAR) unit was provided by the Hot Springs Fire Department to help assist rescue personnel with the search. That unit emits an acoustic signal or pulse which bounces off objects and returns an echo.

Detectives from the SCSO Criminal Investigation Division are currently on scene and are following up on any information which may assist in this investigation.