Missing Vermont Man Recovered from Connecticut River in Westmoreland; Search Involved Multiple Agencies

October 20, 2025 — by Scanner Alerts Media

WESTMORELAND, N.H. — New Hampshire Conservation Officers report that a missing man from Vermont was recovered from the Connecticut River in Westmoreland on Sunday after a multi-agency search and dive operation.

According to officials, at approximately 11:28 a.m. on October 19, Conservation Officers were notified that a man last seen around 10:00 p.m. on October 18 had departed the Putney, Vt. side of the Connecticut River in a canoe and had not been heard from since. The calling party reported locating the man’s overturned canoe near Ferry Road in Westmoreland. Conservation Officers responded and coordinated with regional fire, rescue, and law enforcement partners to begin search operations along the shoreline and on the water.

Agencies assisting included Westmoreland Fire & Rescue, Walpole Fire & Rescue, Spofford Fire & Rescue, Chesterfield Fire & Rescue, the Water Rescue Task Force, the Walpole Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. Resources were deployed to search likely areas in proximity to the overturned canoe and to conduct dive operations where conditions permitted.

At approximately 2:52 p.m., divers with the Water Rescue Task Force located and recovered the man in close proximity to the overturned canoe. Authorities did not release additional details about the recovery beyond the time and location relative to the canoe.

The New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation into the events leading up to the incident. No further information regarding contributing factors was released at this time.

Officials noted that as fall progresses into winter and water temperatures drop, boaters should wear a personal flotation device (PFD) whenever on New Hampshire waterways or elsewhere. The reminder emphasizes that early-season and late-season conditions can reduce survival time and that wearing a PFD is a core safety practice for all small craft users. The statement did not include additional advisories beyond the PFD emphasis.

This update summarizes the timeline provided by responding agencies: the morning notification on October 19, the discovery of the overturned canoe near Ferry Road, the coordinated multi-agency response, and the afternoon recovery by dive personnel. Further details will be released by investigators as appropriate.

Credit: New Hampshire Fish and Game (Conservation Officers); Water Rescue Task Force; Westmoreland Fire & Rescue; Walpole Fire & Rescue; Spofford Fire & Rescue; Chesterfield Fire & Rescue; Walpole Police Department; Vermont State Police; NH State Police Marine Patrol