Body Of Woman Who Drowned After Falling Through Ice Is Located

HAMPSTEAD, NH — New Hampshire Fish and Game located the woman who went missing Saturday after yelling for help on Big Island Pond.

Several fire departments, EMS, and Police responded to Big Island Pond in Atkinson in the area of Chase Island Road near Hemlock Heights Road on Saturday.

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Just before 5:30 p.m., first responders were called to Chase Island Road in Atkinson for reports of someone yelling for help. Marine Patrol officers, along with members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Atkinson Police Department, Atkinson Fire Department, Hampstead Police Department, Hampstead Fire Department, Derry Police Department, Derry Fire Department, PrideStar EMS, Plaistow Fire/Rescue and EMS, and Salem Fire Department responded.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Marine Patrol officers believed the victim fell through the ice and likely drowned.

The search became a recovery operation and was suspended until daylight hours.

Sunday morning, New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Dive Team divers entered the water around 9:15 a.m. near 10 Osprey Fork and began to search the area for the woman.

Conservation Officers launched an airboat designed to safely go across the ice to shuttle the divers to the area where the woman was last seen.

The boat broke through the ice several times but can be operated in water or on the ice. Once at the location, divers entered the water and found the woman a short time later.

Photos of the ice where the airboat traveled show the path taken by the officers.

NH Fish and Game identified the woman as Emer C. Mezetti, 56, of Atkinson.

At 9:33 a.m., her body was located by divers in approximately 16 feet of water, approximately 30 yards from the shoreline of 10 Osprey Fork.

Conservation Officers were assisted by the State Police Marine Patrol, Salem Fire Department, Hampstead Fire and Police Departments, Atkinson Fire and Police Department, Derry Fire and Police Departments, Plaistow Fire Department, and Southern New Hampshire Hazmat.

Big Island Pond is located in Rockingham County and is surrounded by the towns of Derry, Hampstead, and Atkinson. The pond is 532 Acres, with G

New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers would like to remind the public that ice conditions change daily and to always check ice conditions before venturing onto any frozen water body.

The New Hampshire State Police-Marine Patrol reminds all residents and visitors to use caution before venturing on open ice this winter. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website offers general ice safety tips.

Anyone with additional information to assist the ongoing investigation is asked to contact Marine Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Haroutunian at 603-227-2112