Two DuQuoin men are believed to have drowned while swimming in the Mississippi River near Grand Tower.

According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, 50 year old David Totten and 13 year old Paul Johnson were swimming in the Mississippi near the beach area of Devil’s Backbone Park Sunday afternoon when they were caught up in the current and pulled under.

Rescue boats from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the IDNR, and the US Coast Guard searched the river for the men.

A state police piloted plane searched the area by air as well.

Efforts to find the men were suspended at dark.

The search will resume Monday morning.