Intoxicated Swimmer Prompts Massive Search Of Niantic River: Police

NIANTIC, CT — An intoxicated swimmer who went missing in the Niantic River prompted an hourslong search overnight Saturday into Sunday, according to police.

Authorities received calls around 10:30 p.m. Saturday about four intoxicated swimmers at a small dock at Cini Park in Niantic, according to police, who arrived to find two females in the water and another two in the area of Shore Drive. All but one of the females exited the water, with the last refusing to do so and becoming lost in the darkness, police said.

Crews launched a marine rescue with the assistance of 10 state, local and federal agencies, which provided boats, a drone, a K-9 and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, according to police, who said civilians with boats also aided in the search.

The female was found safe on shore around 2 a.m. Sunday, police said.