Local News Coverage of the Dive Team

Associated Press
June 10, 2001

WINDHAM Conn. (AP) - The body of a teen-ager was pulled from the Natchaug River Sunday, about an hour after he disappeared while swimming with his cousin.

Relatives told WTIC-TV that 18-year-old Luis Mendez, who was visiting from Mexico, disappeared as he waded out from the shores of Lauter Park, which was closed to swimming. The gate was locked and chained, but somehow Mendez and his 10-year-old cousin made it to the river, police said.

Relatives said they had warned Mendez to stay away from the river because he couldn't swim. Police said that section of the river has a steep drop-off not far from shore.

Mendez's cousin ran for help when he realized Mendez was in trouble. By the time help arrived, the victim had disappeared.

Members of the Tolland County Dive Team found the body about an hour later in 10 feet of water about 15 feet from the shore.

AP-ES-06-10-01 2343EDT

By DAVID OWENS
The Hartford Courant
June 11, 2001

WILLIMANTIC - An 18-year-old man died Sunday after apparently drowning in the Natchaug River at Lauter Park.

Police were withholding the victim's identity pending notification of his family. He apparently just moved to the area about two weeks ago.

The victim was at the park with a 10-year-old cousin when he went into the water. He apparently started struggling and called out for help. The boy ran off in search of assistance. When he returned, and when the fire department personnel and police arrived, the man had disappeared. The boy told police his cousin was not a strong swimmer.

Fire officials said there may have been a delay in calling for help. The boy may have taken as long as an hour to call for police and the fire department.

Firefighters and police were summoned at 11:38 a.m. and fire officials at the scene said the man may have begun struggling closer to 10:30 a.m., said Willimantic Fire Department Capt. Nick Lucas.

When they arrived, firefighters launched a boat to search for the man. Other department members checked the riverbanks. Police checked the man's home to see if he'd made it out of the water.

A diver from the Tolland County dive team recovered the body at 1:11 p.m in about 10 feet of water about 15 feet from shore. Police said there is a sharp drop-off in the river. A doctor pronounced the man dead at the scene.

The town recreation department runs a swimming area at Lauter Park, but it was not open Sunday, Willimantic police Sgt. Mary Beth Curtis said. The gate to the swimming area was locked, but it is relatively easy to gain access to the river.