DELTA -- A Scott City man drowned Friday night in the Diversion Channel after a boat occupied by the man and four friends took on water and overturned.

Frankie Don Medley, 27, of Scott City was pronounced dead at the scene a little after midnight Saturday morning by Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Carpenter.

"Five of them were in a John boat and it started taking on water," said Carpenter. "It capsized and they all went out. Mr. Medley couldn't swim and unfortunately died."

The small fishing boat occupied by five adults began taking on water and overturned in the Diversion Channel after dark approximately 1.5 miles west of Highway 25.

Bill Keesee, Chrissy Kesee, Walter Werth and Busher Dean, all of Scott City, made their way to the shore.

When it became apparent Medley hadn't come out of the water, one of them walked to a nearby house to call 911.

An extensive search ensued involving the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, the Delta Fire Department, Cape Girardeau County Fire and Rescue, and two boats owned by private citizens.

Medley was not wearing a flotation device.