Body Of Missing Allenstown Man Recovered From Merrimack River In Hooksett: Follow-Up

HOOKSETT, NH — The body of a man, who is believed to have fallen off a Hooksett railroad bridge into the Merrimack River, was found on Sunday morning, according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety.

Hooksett fire and rescue teams, as well as police and others, including the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Marine Patrol, were sent to the town for a report of a man who fell off a bridge into the river around 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Boats were deployed alongside drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras. First responders also searched the riverbanks, attempting to find the man.

Also Read

• Fire And Rescue Teams, Police, State Troopers Search For Man Who Fell Into The Merrimack River

The search was called off after a couple of hours.

On Sunday morning, the search resumed and, after about 75 minutes, a fish and game dive crew recovered the body of Jeremiah Willey, 25, of Allenstown. The fall and drowning are believed to have been accidental, state police said.

“A witness observed him struggling to stay above the surface before he submerged and did not resurface,” state police said. “During the search operations, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team deployed boats equipped with side-scan sonar, along with divers, to conduct a systematic search of the area. State troopers and New Hampshire State Police-Marine Patrol Officers also assisted with search efforts on the water. Hopkinton police also assisted in the search, according to the department.”

The victim’s death is not considered suspicious but remains under active investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation was asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at 603-223-8620 or christopher.j.prenaveau@dos.nh.gov.

Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 217 communities — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.