Tragic accident on Sava River in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) -- Divers pulled seven bodies out of the Sava River and fought strong currents Friday to search for five other missing people after two canoes were crushed running over a dam in southeastern Slovenia.

Mayor of the local town, who also is a member of parliament, was reportedly among the victims.

Two people managed to swim ashore after their boats broke up and capsized but one died Friday in the hospital, raising the death toll to 8, according police spokesman Pavel Perc. The second survivor remained hospitalized.

The accident happened late Thursday, when two large canoes decided to run over a dam under construction near Sevnica, a town 56 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of the capital of Ljubljana. At that section, the dam, part of a hydroelectric plant, is currently built only to about the height of the water.

The trip -- ominously dubbed "The Final Descent" -- was organized by local officials and all participants were Slovenians. It was to be the last ride down that section of the river, which will soon be blocked by the hydroelectric plant.

Two other canoes -- part of the four-boat excursion -- left the river before reaching the site.