Mother and Daughter Drown in Shetucket River

Sprague, Conn. - The Connecticut State Police (CSP) have confirmed that a mother and daughter that were pulled from the Shetucket River on Tuesday afternoon have both succumbed to their injuries.

At approximately 5:23 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023, the Baltic Fire Department was dispatched for an “unknown call for EMS” after people were heard yelling for help in the area of Park Dr. While enroute, Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communication (QVEC) received an update that two people, a mother and a young daughter, were unaccounted for and were last seen floating down the river in the area of the Sprague River Park, North Main St.

With this update the Norwich Dive Team, Occum Fire Department, and Voluntown Fire Department’s drone were activated to assist with the search.

According to the CSP two victims, ages 5 and 39, were recovered from the water approximately 25 minutes after the time of the initial dispatch. Both victims were transported to Backus Hospital, Norwich, in serious condition. The 39-year-old Norwich woman was pronounced deceased at Backus Hospital. The child was transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, where she was pronounced deceased on July 19th.

Representatives from the Baltic Fire Department declined to comment on the incident.

The CSP went on to say “Based upon initial investigative findings, foul play is not suspected and these incidents will be investigated by State Police as untimely deaths. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was notified and will conduct an investigation to determine cause and manner of death.”

Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included the Baltic Fire Department, Occum Fire Department, Norwich Dive Team, Voluntown Volunteer Fire Co., American Ambulance, and the Connecticut State Police.

In accordance with Quiet Corner Alerts policy, the names of the victims have been withheld.