Former coach's death attributed to drowning

The body of a Mercersburg man missing since Sunday, May 5, was found Thursday, May 9, in a Montgomery Township pond and his death has been ruled an accident.

Gregory A. Cole, 51, of Mercersburg accidentally drowned, according to Franklin County Coroner Jeffrey R. Conner.

Cole went missing under "unknown circumstances" just after noon on Sunday, May 5, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

An extensive search ensued, using responders from more than 30 agencies and totaling over 100 people.

Cole's body was found in a pond in the area of the 10000 block of Knob Road around 8:40 a.m. Thursday. On Monday, Conner said the cause of Cole's death was accidental drowning.

Cole coached the Greencastle-Antrim High School girls' varsity soccer program for eight seasons, stepping down after the 2016 campaign. He was at the helm of G-A's District 3 championship run in 2014.

Cole worked for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The department issued the following statement:

"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the untimely death of Captain Gregory Cole. Please keep Captain Cole's family, friends and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers."

In addition to state police, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Maryland Department of Corrections, PA State Police Aviation, K9, Marine, and Tactical Mounted Units, Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, Civil Air Patrol, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Maryland State Police Dive Team, Baltimore City Fire Department Dive Team, Delaware State Police Dive Team, Huntingdon County Water Rescue, South Central PA Search and Rescue, Maryland Department of Corrections Critical Response Team, New Cumberland Borough River Rescue, Harrisburg City Fire Department Dive Team, PA S.E.R.T. Cadaver Dogs, MMP&W fire, ambulance, and fire police, Mercersburg Fire Department, EMS, and fire police, Greencastle Police Department, fire department, and fire police, Saint Thomas Fire Company, Washington County, MD Special Operations Dive Team, Chambersburg Police Department canine unit, Chambersburg Fire Department, Greene Township, Dave’s Truck Repair who provided exterior lighting, Marklesburg Volunteer Fire Company Dive Team as well as members of the public and volunteers assisted in the search and recovery efforts.