17-year-old girl drowns in Manchester lake

A 17-year-old girl drowned in a lake in Manchester Township where she had been swimming with her friends Tuesday, authorities have reported.

The teenager had last been seen by her friends in the water near the shoreline of a lake located within the Heritage Minerals tract of land off Highway 37, Manchester Township Police said in a press release.

Police were alerted to the girl's disappearance by a 911 call.

"Members of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted in the search of the water and surrounding area," the press release stated. "The New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit also assisted in the search."

Following a search, rescue units from the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department Scuba Unit and SCUBA trained Manchester Township Police Officers located the girl.

"The Manchester First Aid squad and MONOC Paramedics administered lifesaving measures," police said.

The teen was transported to nearby Community Medical Center, but was later pronounced dead.