East Longmeadow lacking boater discovered useless in Westfield pond

Native Information

The boater was reportedly canoeing with two different males when their boat capsized Wednesday night. The opposite two males swam to shore, however the boater did not.

Westfield firefighters recovered the physique of a 20-year-old lacking boater from a pond Sunday morning after an “exhaustive” four-day search, the Westfield Fireplace Division stated.

The boater was an East Longmeadow man who went lacking after his canoe capsized on Pequot Pond, State Police stated. His physique was present in Hampden Ponds, which is related to Pequot Pond, about 50 yards from the place his canoe capsized.

The boater was canoeing with two different males when the boat capsized round 6 p.m. Wednesday, WCVB reported. The 2 different males have been capable of swim to shore, however the boater by no means returned they usually reported him lacking.

Authorities haven’t recognized the boater, saying within the launch that the Chief Medical Examiner’s workplace will make a proper identification.

The person’s physique was discovered by 29-year-old skilled bass fisherman Mario Santaniello, who volunteered to make use of his sonar gear to assist with the search, the discharge stated.

Police beforehand searched the world of the pond the place the physique was discovered, however due to heavy vegetation on the backside of the pond, they have been unable to see the physique till Santaniello used his sonar gear, State Police stated.

Santaniello discovered the physique whereas a part of a “huge” search that concerned 14 totally different police and fireplace departments and state businesses, the discharge stated.

State Police and Hampden County District Lawyer Anthony Gulluni are investigating the boater’s loss of life, the discharge stated.

“On behalf of the Westfield Fireplace Division and all our companion businesses, I wish to categorical our deepest condolences to this younger man’s household,” Westfield Fireplace Chief Patrick Egloff stated within the launch. “It is a very unhappy day, however I hope they will take some consolation within the data that individuals from throughout Western Massachusetts supported the efforts to search out their cherished one.”