Teen Drowns In Farmington River Swimming Accident

FARMINGTON, CT — A teen drowned in a weekend swimming accident in the Farmington River, local police said.

At 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Farmington 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.

Police and crews from the Farmington Fire Department, Tunxis Hose Fire Department, and AMR ambulance descended upon the scene to begin a water rescue, police said. Initial scanner reports placed the incident at Tunxis Meade Park.

According to a report, 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 also responded and recovered the 19 year-old's body in about 20 feet of water at 4:30 p.m., according to a report.

Farmington police were 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.