Police Release Information on Drowning in Smithfield
GoLocalProv News Team
Police Release Information on Drowning in Smithfield
It was the second drowning fatality in Rhode Island on Tuesday during a heat wave.
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About Incident
According to police, at approximately 9:15 on Tuesday, police were called to Georgiaville Beach at 20 Stillwater Road for a report of a missing person.
Police said that they learned from the reporting party that the missing person - a male - had not seen his friend in several hours.
Witnesses say the missing man had last seen his friend he was in the water near the beach on Georgiaville Pond.
Members of the Smithfield Fire Department responded along with mutual aid from neighboring communities; they were assisted in the search by the Smithfield Emergency Management Agency and the Smithfield Police Department Aerial Response Team via drone.
Body Located
Smithfield Police said that at approximately 9:55 PM, emergency personnel located a body in the water.
Once brought to shore, the subject was pronounced deceased, say police.
The individual was confirmed to be the same person that had been reported missing and identified as a 31-year-old male from Providence.
At this time the victim’s name is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin, said police Wednesday morning.
Police added that this matter is being investigated as an accidental drowning and that the cause and other any contributing factors, remain under investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Smithfield Police.