SPRINGVALE — Sanford Police have identified the man who died while swimming in the Mousam River at Holdsworth Park on Thursday as Michael Lancaster, 64, of Sanford.

Deputy Police Chief Tim Strout said witnesses told police that a man had been swimming in the river when he became distressed and called out for help.

“Bystanders were able to pull the man from the water and the lifeguard on duty began CPR,” said Strout in a statement. Sanford Fire Department personnel continued to attempt to resuscitate the man but were unable to revive him, Strout said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident was reported at 2:25 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Sanford Parks and Recreation Director Alan Grady, the swimmer was down river from day campers using the Springvale Recreation Area portion of Holdsworth Park, and was not in the confined area protected by park lifeguards.

Grady said that campers in the park saw and heard rescue crews responding, as the day camp area was closest access point to the scene.

He said children swimming in a lifeguarded-section of the park were removed from the area as a precaution.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.