New Hampshire Marine Patrol Investigating Drowning On The Merrimack River

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire State Police are investigating a drowning on the Merrimack River on Sunday morning.

Just before 11:30 a.m., Concord fire and rescue teams were sent to the Sewalls Falls Recreation Area for a report of a person having difficulty breathing. Dispatch said the caller was on the trail along the river and not in the parking area. When firefighters arrived, they requested the tower and a UTV, bringing additional firefighters to the scene, while a commander stated that CPR was in progress.

Just before noon, the marine patrol was called to the river for a possible drowning. A preliminary investigation found Claire Knowles, 67, of Concord, died when she was swimming after her tube in an area of the river with a mild current, state police said. As she returned to shore, she suffered a medical event.

“Two good Samaritans made lifesaving efforts until the first responders arrived on the scene and took over,” state police said. “These efforts were unsuccessful, and Knowles was later pronounced deceased.”

Members of the Concord police and fire departments, and the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner assisted marine patrol.

State police said authorities were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with additional information that may assist the investigation was asked to contact Marine Patrol Sergeant Nicholas Haroutunian at 603-293-2037 or nicholas. m.haroutunian@dos.nh.gov.

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