East Haddam Man Killed In Groton Boating Accident: DEEP

GROTON, CT — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has identified the victims in a Groton boating accident that killed two people and left one in serious condition. The incident occurred Saturday morning in Mumford Cove on the Long Island Sound a little after 9 a.m., officials said.

DEEP officials said Joseph Formica, 33, of East Haddam and Joseph Grzelak, 31, of Griswold died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Justin Besade, 29, of Uncasville was treated and released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to a release.

Officials said emergency crews responded to Mumford Cove after a resident that lives nearby reported seeing a vessel swamped with no visible occupants. It was subsequently discovered that three men who had been waterfowl hunting were believed to have been involved in a capsizing, according to officials.

See also: 2 Killed When Boat Overturns In Groton's Mumford Cove: Report

DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and units from the Groton Long Point Police Department, Groton Town Police and Groton Long Point Fire Department responded to the area, officials said.

Officials said two of the men were recovered from the water by the Groton Long Point Fire Department and one man was found on the shore of Bluff Point State Park by the Coast Guard. A 16-foot open motorboat with an outboard engine was also recovered, officials said.

The incident remains under investigation by DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police, officials said.

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