A person died Friday after being thrown from a personal watercraft on the Connecticut River, state conservation officers said. The incident occurred in the river north of Selden Neck State Park around 2 p.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
What happened
Environmental Conservation Police officers were on routine patrol when another boater flagged down an EnCon vessel, department spokesperson Bill Flood said in an email. Based on witness accounts, the watercraft struck a wake, which caused the operator to be ejected into the water.
Officers pulled the person from the river and helped transport them to shore, where Chester fire and EMS personnel met the scene. The person was taken to Middlesex Hospital with serious injuries and later died, Flood said. DEEP has not released the victim's name.
Investigation and response
The department's Environmental Conservation Police are leading the investigation into the crash. DEEP did not provide additional details about the victim's age, condition prior to transport, or whether alcohol or other factors were involved.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~2 p.m. | EnCon patrol flagged down by another boater |
| Shortly after | Person rescued from water; transported to shore |
| Afternoon | Victim taken to Middlesex Hospital; later died |
Safety and local impact
The incident highlights hazards that boaters and recreational watercraft users face on the Connecticut River, including wakes from other vessels and the risks of being thrown into open water. DEEP's EnCon officers regularly patrol the river to enforce safety rules and assist recreational users.
- Location: Connecticut River, north of Selden Neck State Park (Lyme area)
- Responding agencies: DEEP Environmental Conservation Police, Chester fire and EMS
- Hospital: Middlesex Hospital
DEEP continues to investigate and has not released the identity of the deceased. Officials say more information will be provided as the inquiry proceeds.
Residents and visitors who use the Connecticut River for boating or personal watercraft are reminded to wear life jackets, operate at safe speeds, and be mindful of wakes and other vessels. For updates, the DEEP press office and EnCon Police provide official information on active incidents.
— Olivia Ferraro, Connecticut Correspondent
