HURON, Ohio - Four men who went into Lake Erie to rescue a friend in distress drowned just minutes after they were swept under the water, the Erie County coroner said.

Dr. Thomas Nesgoda said autopsies conducted yesterday in Lucas County determined the cause of death as drowning.

He added that dental records were being used throughout the day to confirm the identities as Jehrod Smith, 19, of Sandusky, and Kyle Kroetz, 29, Matthew Smith, 21, and Steve Cupec, 27, all of Findlay.

The county coroner said toxicology tests won't be complete for several weeks.

The four men disappeared Wednesday afternoon after plunging into the lake in an attempt to save Mr. Cupec's fianc e, Amy Anderson, 22, as she struggled against five-foot waves and strong currents off the city-run Nickel Plate Beach.

She later was pulled safely to shore by Huron firefighter Monty Tapp and local resident Justin Decker, 17.

Searchers on Saturday recovered the bodies of three of the men, about a quarter-mile west of where they disappeared. A fourth body was discovered early Sunday in the same area near the mouth of the Huron River.

Since the drownings, Huron city officials have said that they are planning to review policies and procedures at Nickel Plate Beach, the site of a near drowning July 5 in similar conditions.

And despite rising temperatures this week, the public beach will remain closed for now, fire Chief John Zimmerman said yesterday.

The chief said he plans to meet on Friday with the city parks and recreation director and city manager to discuss the incident. On the day of the drowning, city manager Mike Tann had closed Nickel Plate for swimming but not sunbathing.

Beach visitors were warned verbally and via a flyer not to enter the water because of treacherous conditions, officials have said.

First Published July 16, 2002, 10:52 a.m.