SANFORD, Maine (WGAN)  Sanford Police say a man drowned while swimming at the Springvale recreation area in Sanford.

Police say they were called a little before 2:30 p.m. Thursday.  Witnesses said a man had been swimming in the river when he became distressed and called for help.

Bystanders were able to pull the man, identified by police as 64-year-old Michael Lancaster, from the water and the lifeguard on duty began CPR.

Police say continued attempts to resuscitate the man by the Sanford Fire Department were unsuccessful.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.