Pa. Teen Drowns During Class Trip to Grenada

A teenager from Pennsylvania drowned while snorkeling with classmates during a senior class mission trip to Grenada.

Seventeen-year-old Jared Gehman's parents said their son had an accident on May 8 at Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, where he and 28 other students from Terre Hill Mennonite High School in Lancaster County were doing Christian mission work.

Nelson and Dorita Gehman said their son was set to graduate from high school on May 23.

They said there was no horseplay involved and their son was a good swimmer, so they don't know what caused him to drown. An autopsy listed asphyxiation as the cause of death.

Jared Gehman is survived by his parents, an older sister and two younger brothers. A memorial page for Gehman was created on Facebook.

Funeral services for the teen will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 10 a.m. at the Weaverland Mennonite Church on 210 Weaverland Valley Road in East Earl, Pennsylvania.

Interment will be in the Bowmansville Mennonite Cemetery. Viewing will be held at the Weaverland Mennonite Church on Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Terre Hill Mennonite High School, 1416 Union Grove Rd., Terre Hill, PA 17581.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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