`Drowning was an accident, coroner's final ruling says`

Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III has ruled that Keith J. Franks, 19, of 340 Orange Drive, Hermitage, died of accidental drowning.

Franks died Memorial Day at the Shenango River Lake when he was jumping with friends from a 35-foot-high railroad trestle.

There was no alcohol or drugs in Franks' system, McGonigle said.

Bystanders told investigators Franks had successfully completed a jump and was in knee-deep water when he headed back into deeper water and went under the surface.

Tests didn't shed anymore light on what happened to Franks when he headed back out, McGonigle said. ``We don't fully understand why he returned to the water.''

McGonigle pronounced Franks dead at 6 p.m. at the scene.

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Updated May 29, 1998
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