An 18-year-old New Jersey man drowned at Pine Meadow Lake inside Harriman State Park Thursday, police say.
The victim, whose name has not yet been publically released, was with a group of friends cliff jumping and swimming just moments before he went under. The moments after the 18-year-old was pulled out of the water were captured on cellphone video.
Authorities say the area is heavily wooded and has no lifeguards. No swimming signs are clearly posted. They say reaching the lake took a 20-minute drive in an all-terrain emergency vehicle.
The victim's friends also had a hard time calling for help, since cellphone service is spotty in the remote area.
When rescuers eventually arrived, they tried CPR – but it was too late. So far, it's unclear what caused the man to drown, but police say asthma may have been a factor.