Crime & Safety
Body Of MA College Student Recovered After Canoe Capsizes In CT Lake
The recovery followed an extensive search after the student at College of the Holy Cross went missing on Saturday.
WORCESTER, MA — A body has been recovered after a student at College of the Holy Cross went missing after a canoe capsized on Saturday, according to officials.
Dominick Tocci, a 20-year-old junior political science major from Woodstock, Connecticut, was still missing on Monday after a boating incident in East Haddam, Connecticut, on Saturday, Holy Cross wrote in a statement to Patch. He was last seen at about 9:50 p.m. on the water in Lake Hayward.
His body was recovered at about 3 p.m. on Monday after a search of the lake, according to officials.
Find out what's happening in Worcesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“DEEP sends its condolences to Dominick’s family and loved ones. DEEP appreciates the efforts of all of the emergency response entities involved,” DEEP Environmental Conservation Police said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
Find out what's happening in Worcesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Two 20-year-old males were in a canoe when it capsized on Lake Hayward, according to a spokesperson for the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. DEEP Environmental Conservation Police responded late Saturday night.
A nearby resident heard voices calling for help from the lake, and a Good Samaritan brought one of the males to shore in a paddleboat. He was taken to a local hospital and later discharged, according to DEEP.
Holy Cross said that the male was another of its students, who was also on the boat and has since been accounted for.
The college said it's in contact with local law enforcement.
"The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and our hearts and prayers are with the student's family, friends, and all members of our campus community during this time," the school continued in a statement. "Support from counselors and our college chaplains has been made available to any student, faculty, or staff member who may need it.
Since Saturday, extensive search operations were underway involving DEEP En Con Police, along with assistance from local and state agencies. Those operations included water-based searches, aerial surveillance and dive teams.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
This story has been updated with new information.
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