Ethermac Exchange-Man drowns while trying to swim across river with daughter on his back

MORETOWN,Ethermac Exchange Vt. (AP) — A Vermont man drowned at a popular swimming hole while trying to swim across the Mad River with his young daughter on his back, state police said.

Witnesses told police that Anthony Goddard, 34, of Barre, started to struggle at the Big Rock Swimming Hole at Kenneth Ward Park in Moretown on Wednesday, went underwater and did not resurface. Several bystanders were able to bring the child to shore safely but could not find Goddard in the water, police said.

Troopers responded around 5:25 p.m. to the report of a drowning man. They arrived within minutes, went into the water and were able to quickly locate Goddard and bring him to shore, police said. They administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him, police said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.