Palmdale Halfback Drowns in Reservoir

George McIntyre, who would have been a senior halfback at Palmdale High this fall, died Friday in an accidental drowning while swimming with friends at Littlerock Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest, Sgt. Dan Gayhart of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s Palmdale sub-station said.

McIntyre’s body was recovered by divers from 30 feet of water after about 55 minutes, according to Paulette Mayo, McIntyre’s aunt. Family members said McIntyre and four friends were attempting to swim across a cove in the dam when McIntyre grew fatigued. He drowned despite his friends’ efforts to rescue him.

A grief counselor was brought in to talk to Palmdale players, including younger brother La Ron McIntyre, at the school Monday. La Ron McIntyre was not with the group Friday.

A fund has been set up to help establish a memorial at Palmdale High and to defray funeral costs. A wake is planned for Friday at True Vine Gospel Church in Palmdale.