HADDAM, Conn. — Update as of July 22 at 11:32 a.m.
DEEP announced Wednesday morning that its Conservation Police, along with State Police recovered the body of the teen who went missing in the Connecticut River near Haddam Meadows State Park Monday evening.
17-year-old Khailon Rivers, of Middletown, was last seen just before 5 p.m. Monday in the water.
He had entered the water to help a younger family member in distress, DEEP personnel involved in the case said.
"We extend our condolences to the Rivers family in their loss," said DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Col. Chris Lewis. "We commend the multiple responding agencies for their immediate and robust assistance in the search and recovery effort."
DEEP encourages residents to review recommended safety guidelines if recreating near or in state waterbodies this summer. Natural waterbodies, such as the Connecticut River, can be particularly hazardous, with unseen dangers such as sudden drop-offs and strong currents. For more information, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Recreation-Information/Swimming---CT-State-Parks-and-Forests.
Original story below.
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A teen is missing after trying to rescue his younger brothers while enjoying their day on a sandbar along the Connecticut River Monday.
Rescue crews and DEEP have arrived at the scene Tuesday morning to continue their search. Officers at the scene are now calling the search a recovery.
DEEP said that the incident happened around 5 p.m. Monday and the search had gone on until dar. Haddam Meadows Boat Launch is closed while the search is currently ongoing.
Family members of the 18-year-old man say at this time they are going through some somber moments trying to remember a man that they call a hero.
“Big Hero, my biggest hero... that should what he put on his gravestone a hero, he died a hero saving his two little brothers, said William Davis who says it was his son that was reported as a missing swimmer at Haddam Meadows State Park Monday afternoon.
Davis says his son was out with relatives on a family trip to the state park for a fun time at the Connecticut river, yet during the family fun, events turned into a hairy situation when the 18-year-old man saw his two younger brothers go too far out on the sandbar.
Davis said, “His brothers were too far out and the football was further so he went for the boys and the football and as he was trying to get them to safety he went under.”
DEEP, the Coast Guard, State Police, and other agencies including a dive team all came together to search for the still missing man.
This incident was seen by many at the state park who say this was a wakeup call.
Amanda Norman said, “It’s scary knowing, you know Denise that’s young they have family members that are young it’s scary that they can go missing and I feel for the families.”
The missing man’s father says although this incident is tragic, he is proud of his son.
Davis said, “It’s a hard pill to swallow, it's the way I got to take it man... it gets no better but I know my two boys are safe because of their brother. “
Crews have suspended their search due to darkness but will be back Tuesday morning to continue their efforts.
