Body of second swimmer found

NEW MILFORD — On the fourth day of search efforts for the second missing swimmer on the Houstaonic River, the body of the 24- yearold New York man was recovered Saturday, according to police.

Crews have been scouring the river for days, searching for two men in their 20s who were last seen by friends and family going underwater near Bulls Bridge near the Kent line.

“There were recovery efforts today,” New Milford Police Lt. Earl Wheeler confirmed Saturday night. “The second victim was located.”

It was unclear at what time the recovery took place, or how long Saturday’s search lasted.

On Friday, the body of the 21- year- old victim was recovered by dive teams.

Although police have said both victims were from the Bronx, N. Y., their names have not yet been released.

The two men were with friends and family off the east bank of the Housatonic River when they were seen going underwater around 4: 50 p. m. Wednesday.

Units searched the river for the men until about 10: 45 p. m. Wednesday. The search picked up again around 8 a. m. Thursday, but stopped around 3 p. m. because of heavy rain and the possibility of lightning.

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said the current in that area of the river is “really dangerous, even for the most proficient swimmer.”

Various agencies were involved with search efforts, including personnel from the Connecticut State Police, Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.