Old Saybrook Police have identified the man who drowned in the Connecticut River on Saturday afternoon as Donnie Perry, 51, of Glynn Avenue in Middletown/
His body was located and recovered near the intersection of North Cove Road and Main Street.
Police received the call around 4:30 p.m. after reports of a man had fallen in the water.
Witnesses said Perry had been crabbing and slipped into the water while trying to retrieve a trap.
Dive rescue teams from several towns assisted in the search.
“Approximately 16 minutes after the initial call, the male victim was located underwater. They took him out of the water, immediately began CPR,” said Old Saybrook Police Lieutenant Kevin Roche.
Residents and Old Saybrook police said the water in that area can be dangerous.
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“That particular area … when the tide is moving, does have a strong current,” said Lt. Roche.
One resident recalled a similar rescue operation in Old Saybrook that also had a tragic ending.
“About 15 years ago, when I was a kid, I saw two kids drown out here before, taken to the ICU, and didn’t make it,” said Matthew Nucci.
Perry was taken to Middlesex Memorial Clinic where he was pronounced dead.
Officials said Perry had been under water for over an hour.
