GROTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Groton Chief of Police Michael Luth have confirmed an open investigation into a drowning that occurred today at approximately 3:19 p.m. in the Squannacook River in the area of Bertozzi Wildlife Management Area, Groton.
The preliminary information suggests that a group of five friends were allegedly jumping in and out of the river using a rope swing. When they attempted to cross the river, one of them, a 17-year-old male, went underwater and did not resurface. Officers from Groton Fire located the male at 4:32 p.m. and subsequently transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. When officers were executing the recovery efforts, the river level was high, with a visibly strong current due to the recent rain.
