ZACHARY - The EBR Coroner’s Office has confirmed that emergency crews recovered the body of a man who drowned after he was swept away by flood water during a rescue attempt.

It happened in the 1700 block of Plank Road in Zachary. Early reports from first responders suggested that a 4-year-old child may have been washed away, but family members later confirmed that a 68-year-old man had fallen into a ditch and was swept away.

The coroner said they recovered a body and officially declared it a drowning. East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office deputies identified the man as 68-year-old William Mayfield.

Neighbors tried to rescue the man but said they were unable to save him from the water.