Hamden Man Drowns at Silver Sands Beach in Milford

A Hamden man idrowned Monday at  when he was caught in the strong currents on a sandbar, according to a Milford fire official.

Rocco Daddio, 34, was with a 9-year-old boy, who was rescued by a lifeguard and a jet-skier.

Milford Fire Capt. Christopher Zak said a call came in at approximately 3:30 p.m. for a water rescue at the state park. Emergency crews from Milford, Stratford, the U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Environmental Protection rushed to the scene. They were aided in their search efforts by a helicopter from the state.

According to Zak, Daddio and the boy were walking on the sandbar when they were swept into the water by the strong currents. The 9-year-old was rescued by a lifeguard and a jet-skier.

The body of the man was found more than two hours later - at 5:48 p.m. - in about 15 feet of water, Zak said.

The body was taken to the Milford Yacht Club, where the man was pronounced dead, Zak added.

The boy's mother was on scene, according to Zak.

“He was like a rock,” Zak said of the boy. "He was very knowledgeable. He wasn't breaking down or anything.”

It was just two weeks ago that , when they were swept into the water by the current.

“It’s very, very dangerous,” Zak said.