Marine Patrol Investigating Another Merrimack River Drowning

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol and area firefighters were all sent to the Merrimack River Saturday for a drowning.

Around 6:15 p.m., firefighters, EMTs, and boat rescue from Boscawen, Canterbury, Concord, Franklin, and Penacook were sent to the swimming hole near the Hannah Duston historic site for a water rescue. New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol was also sent to the area.

Initially, fire dispatch said the caller reported a group of swimmers floating by when they began requesting help as they were going underwater. Dispatch attempted to get a better location of where the swimmers were while firefighters headed to the area and later reported they might be a bit more upstream, closer to the Muchyedo Banks.

Command was set up in Boscawen and firefighters learned that the swimmers were near Creek Beach off the cornfields near Highway View Farm on River Road.

Boats were launched and scoured the river, according to Lt. C. McLain of Marine Patrol. Later, firefighters learned the swimmers started at Welch Park and floated down the river.

After about 45 minutes, the male victim was found. He was transported to Concord Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

All aspects of the incident remain under investigation, McLain said. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Officer Scott McLain at 603-227-2118 or by email at scott.mclain@dos.nh.gov.

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