NORTH SMITHFIELD – The search for a missing swimmer ended Wednesday evening after rescue crews pulled the body of a man believed to be in his 20s from the Slatersville Reservoir.
The man was reportedly swimming with friends when he jumped from the railroad trestle into the water. Witnesses said the swimmer briefly resurfaced then went back under.
A call for the missing swimmer came in around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, and the Cumberland Dive Team, North Smithfield and Mapleville Fire Departments were among those at the scene, just off Route 102 in the area of a popular boat launch and neighboring business The Island.
North Smithfield Fire Chief David Chartier confirmed with reporters around 8 p.m. that the body had been recovered.
The area, just at the town line between North Smithfield and Burrillville, has seen many similar incidents over the years, including one the took place in the same manner five years ago nearly to the date. On July 19, 2016, a 19-year-old Providence man went missing after jumping from the railroad trestle. The body of David Pinthiere was recovered the following day.
Officials have not yet identified the drowning victim from Wednesday’s accident.
Editor’s note: An update on this breaking news story can be found here.
