SULPHUR WELL, Ky. — A woman died Monday evening after drowning in the South Fork Little Barren River near the Sulphur Well community.

The Metcalfe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area at the end of Cedar Top-Little Barren River Road after Kentucky State Police Post 15 received a call for service shortly before 8 p.m.

Deputy Jarrod Steele was the first to arrive and reported seeing a woman floating in the water. She was unresponsive, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, which also responded to the scene and is leading the investigation.

A 6-year-old boy was also found in the water, clinging to a rock, according to Game Warden Keith Young, a spokesperson for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s District 4.

Steele helped the child reach the shore before recovering the woman from the water. Life-saving measures were attempted on the woman but were unsuccessful, Young said.

Authorities identified the woman as 34-year-old Amber West. Young said West had been at the river with two of her children, and authorities believe the family was there for recreational purposes.

Authorities believe West entered the water in an attempt to rescue her son.

The 6-year-old was taken to T.J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow before being airlifted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. Young said the child was reportedly recovering well.

The children were the only witnesses at the scene, Young said, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding West’s death.

A Metcalfe County fire unit also responded to the scene.