FEDERALSBURG, Md. -- Three boys, two cousins age 12 and their 8-year-old friend, drowned in Marshyhope Creek on the Eastern shore this past weekend. The three juveniles were reported missing at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. They were last seen at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday playing in the parking lot of the First Church of God on Bloomingdale Avenue at Old Denton Road. The Federalsburg Police conducted a preliminary search of the area with negative results.

Sunday morning as the search was expanded, the Maryland Natural Resources were requested to respond to the area to conduct a search of Marshyhope Creek that runs through the town of Federalsburg. Shortly after launching their patrol boat, NRP officers located the body of one of the missing boys behind a group of homes in the 100 block of Old Denton Road. Not long after, the officers located the body of a second youth a short distance away.

Rescue personnel combed the banks of the river and divers searched below the water surface for the third missing youth. His body was discovered underwater a short distance away by members of the Mid-Shore Dive Team.

This portion of Marshyhope Creek is approximately 25 yards wide and 5-10 feet deep, according to an NRP spokesman.

The youths were pronounced dead on the scene by the Medical Examiner. Autopsies will be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

At this stage in the investigation, police say this appears to be an accidental drowning. A thorough investigation will be completed before a final determination is announced.