Swimmer Missing in Lake Congamond

A swimmer, reportedly a 19-year-old man, is missing in Lake Congamond’s Middle Pond in Southwick after he had difficulty swimming and did not resurface Monday afternoon.

Southwick Police said a friend of the missing man called the department at approximately 4:25 p.m. to request assistance, according to a press release from the department. The caller said a group of friends was swimming in Middle Pond when the missing man began struggling, briefly submerged, resurfaced and then went under again, out of sight of the group.

Southwick Police said the initial investigation indicates that alcohol did not play a role in what the department called a “mishap.”

Rescue operations began as police responded and ended as the sun set Monday night. The Southwick Police Department’s dive team and divers from other agencies will begin a recovery operation tomorrow morning, according to the release.

The Suffield Police and Fire Departments responded to the incident as well but were eventually released from the scene by Southwick Police.

The Southwick Police Department will release more information Tuesday morning.