A 20-year-old Farrell man drowned Wednesday morning in Conneaut Lake after several attempts by friends to rescue him were unsuccessful.

William M. Jarrett Jr., 20, was pronounced dead at 12:38 p.m. by emergency room doctors at Meadville Medical Center.

According to Conneaut Lake Regional police, Jarrett was boating with friends when he decided to swim about 100 feet offshore, northwest of the Iroquois Yacht and Boat Club. During the swim he became tired and friends tried throwing life jackets to him for support, police said.

Due to moderately heavy winds and strong currents, police said, Jarrett was unable to grab hold of the jackets. The friends attempted to maneuver the boat, but Jarrett went underwater. A woman on the boat dived into the water but was unable to reach him, police said.

Conneaut Lake Fire Chief John Treacy, who happened to be in the area assisting physically disabled people with watercraft, was able to dive to the bottom of the lake. He retrieved Jarrett and police and firefighters pulled him from the lake and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, police said.

He was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.