COMO – A leisurely afternoon turned tragic near here Saturday afternoon.

Jason Leon Martin, 41, of Como drowned in the Meherrin River while enjoying a family outing.

Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent said Martin’s body was recovered around 7:30 p.m. off Boone’s Bridge Road.

“From the information we received, Mr. Martin was enjoying a nice afternoon with some members of his family,” Sheriff Vincent said. “He apparently got into the water off a raft he and other family members were floating in and went underwater and the family didn’t see him again.”

Vincent said family members told emergency responders at the scene that Martin could swim.

“We don’t know what caused him to go under,” the Sheriff said. “This is so tragic. Here’s a man that at one minute is enjoying some family time and the next minute is gone.”

The call for help was initially given to Hertford County officials at around 5:30 p.m. They responded with EMS crews and realized, upon arriving on the scene, they had crossed Boone’s Bridge, meaning they were in Northampton County.

The Murfreesboro Fire Department responded with a rescue boat, as did Gaston Fire & Rescue. Conway-Severn Rescue also responded to the scene.

Vincent said Martin’s body was found at 7:16 p.m.