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2 Brothers Drown In South Jersey Lake

VINELAND, N.J. (CBS) -- Two brothers drowned in a Vineland lake Wednesday evening.

The avid fishermen died together while swimming in a former sand quarry.

Vineland police say the Downe Township Dive Team pulled the bodies of 27-year-old Saul Vargas and 30-year-old Otoniel Vargas from Crystal Lake at South Vineland Park. The brothers were from Bridgeton.

Officials believe one brother may have been trying to save the other.

"It appears that one of the individuals went swimming, had a problem of some sort, and it looked like the other gentleman jumped in," said Chief Cliff Higbee of the Downe Township Dive Team.

The dive team recovered the two bodied around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday on the southeast side of the lake, away from the fishing dock and picnic area.

Another fisherman reported to 911 seeing the brothers' bodies, their rods and tackle still on shore.

Friends say the Vargas brothers were also musicians.

Their band, the Shakas Banda Rancho Escondido, posted a sorrowful message in Spanish on Facebook.

"I come out here mostly every day in the summer and I've seen them out here at least 30 or 40 days from the summer and I've never seen them swimming," said friend Danny Cabrera.

The brothers' fishing gear was found at the scene.

Police say there were no signs of foul play.

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