Long Island Man Dies After Falling From Boat

A Long Island man died after he fell from a boat into the Long Island Sound off the Connecticut coast Saturday evening, authorities said.

At 6 p.m., Milford Fire dispatch received a 911 call from a female boater in distress, said Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Fabrizi. The caller stated that her male partner had fallen off of their 25-foot vessel into the Long Island Sound and was struggling to remain afloat, fire officials said.

The New Haven Register has reported that the man was 43-year-old Richard Melucci, of Mount Sinai.

The boat was reported to be about a half mile south of Charles Island at the time of the incident, and returning to its home port of Long Island, Fabrizi said. The caller managed to give GPS coordinates to the fire dispatcher to assist in locating the vessel, Fabrizi added.

Milford firefighters responded to the area with three marine units and activated their dive team. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded with a marine vessel and air support from Cape Cod.

Melucci's body was discovered approximately 55 minutes into the search effort by the U.S. Coast Guard marine vessel, Fabrizi said. He was taken on board and quickly transferred to Milford Fire paramedics who initiated advanced life saving efforts. Melucci was brought to shore where an awaiting Milford Fire Department Paramedic unit transported him to Milford Hospital.

"The victim succumbed to his injuries even after intensive life saving efforts were performed by fire and hospital personnel," Fabrizi said.

The female passenger of the vessel was also transported to Milford Hospital for evaluation. The vessel was towed to Milford Lisman Landing where Milford police are conducting a full investigation. No injuries were sustained by responding personnel.

By Brian McCready