3 Drowning Incidents Reported In Connecticut Over Past Week

CONNECTICUT — Over the past week there have been three separate drowning incidents reported in Connecticut.

On Friday night, Suffield police said they are investigating an "accidental drowning" on Congamond Lake, WTNH News 8 reports. The victim has been identified as Joseph Sullivan, 27, of Suffield, and Fox 61 reports that the drowning appears to be "accidential."

In New Milford, one of two drowning victims was recovered from the Housatonic River on Friday, according to the Republican-American. The victim is a 21-year-old man. A second person, a 24-year-old man, remains missing as of Saturday morning. Both men are from the Bronx, NY, the Rep-Am reports.

Both men, who were considered skilled swimmers, were last seen Wednesday after a strong current pulled them under water, the Rep-Am reports. The area includes "no swimming" signs, police told the Rep-Am.

And last weekend a teen drowned in a swimming accident in the Farmington River, Farmington police told Patch. At 1:40 p.m. Sunday, June 7 police received a 911 call reporting that a 19-year-old man was "drowning" in the Farmington River. The caller said the man had been under the water for several minutes.

Emergency responders began a water rescue. Police were told the teen, who was from Waterbury, was last seen going under the water about 20-feet from the riverbank. He was swimming with friends, police said. Members of the state police dive team recovered the 19 year-old's body in about 20 feet of water.

The 19-year-old victim was identified as Andry Evangelista, a junior at the University of Connecticut studying to become a physical therapist, reports the Daily Campus.

“He represented the best of UConn and his loss will be difficult to process,” Michael Gilbert, vice president of student affairs, and Eleanor Daugherty, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students told the Daily Campus. (Sign up for free Patch alerts and daily newsletters from all across Connecticut.)

Farmington police are cautioning all swimmers using the Farmington River this time of year to use life jackets or other flotation devices because of cold water temperatures, which can quickly incapacitate swimmers of all abilities.