NH Man Drowns In Lake Sunapee

NEW LONDON, NH — New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol units were sent to Lake Sunapee yesterday afternoon for a distressed swimmer that later turned into a recovery operation, according to officials. At around 3:15 p.m. on July 1, 2017, officials received a call from a woman on a pontoon boat who stated that a male occupant of the boat had jumped in the water to swim but later, became distressed. The man was last seen in the area of Dunning Point.

Teams arrived to the lake and began searching for the man, later identified as Kevin Karolian, 46, of Manchester. He was recovered at around 8:15 p.m. by New Hampshire Fish & Game Department divers and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Assisting agencies included New Hampshire Fish & Game, Sunapee Police Department, Sunapee Fire Department, New London Fire Department, and the Newbury Fire Department.

The investigation is being conducted by NH State Police - Marine Patrol. Anyone who may have further information related to this incident or who witnessed it is encouraged to contact Sergeant Cheryl Clancy at 603-293-2037 Ext. 0 or by email at Cheryl.Clancy@dos.nh.gov.

Swift Moving Water

Marine Patrol also issued a warning on Sunday requesting that boaters and swimmers be careful in Granite State rivers and streams due to “heavy amounts of rainfall this week,” according to a press statement.

“The New Hampshire State Police-Marine Patrol urges caution to any swimmers and boaters that may be recreating around the rivers and streams within the state, as currents will be greatly increased,” the statement noted. “Additionally, floating and underwater debris could prove inherently dangerous to those using the waters.”

Marine Patrol recommends that, whenever possible, anyone who participates in swimming activities do so in a designated swimming area where a lifeguard is present, the statement added.