Rhode Island

Swimmer reported missing in North Providence reservoir

The man in his 50s went out in the Wenscott Reservoir to help some kayakers who were in trouble Sunday night but never made it back.

Searchers are shown on the shore of Wenscott Reservoir, where a swimmer was reported missing, Sunday, July 9, 2023. (WJAR)
WJAR

A man went missing Sunday while swimming in the Wenscott Reservoir in North Providence, Rhode Island.

NBC affiliate WJAR reports the man in his 50s went out to help some kayakers who were in trouble Sunday night, according to first responders. The kayakers made it out of the water safely but the man didn't come back.

The fire chief told WJAR the man's friends and family were at the reservoir Sunday trying to help find him. The search -- in muddy and murky water -- was unsuccessful; it was set to resume Monday morning.

"This is a typical response because it's a large area to cover, we don't have the pinpoint exact location of this person, so we have multiple divers setting up patterns to be able to search," Lime Rock Fire Chief Timothy Walsh told WJAR. "This is a large area that we have to deal with,"

North Providence police have been assisted in the search by Smithfield and Lincoln first responders. The reservoir touches all three towns. State police are also helping.

The man's name has not been released at this time.

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