08-01-2008, 11:10 AM
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department today released the name of the young man who drowned in the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River on Friday, July 25. The victim was Christopher Elizardo, age 19, of Dallas, Texas. Elizardo was employed in New Hampshire for the summer and had been swimming in the river with a friend near Lincoln, N.H., when he was caught in the current and swept downriver.
N.H. Fish and Game was called in at 1:30 p.m. on Friday to assist. Elizardo's body was spotted from a N.H. State Police helicopter about 5 p.m. in Woodstock, N.H., about 100 feet downstream from where it had last been seen. Fish and Game Conservation Officers were able to reach the body in the shallow, fast-moving water by using the Department's airboat.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of this young man," said Conservation Officer Jeremy Hawkes. "While the water is inviting on a hot summer day, N.H. Fish and Game advises people to always use caution when swimming in a river, and to be especially careful after a rainfall creates high water levels and strong currents."
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers were assisted in the recovery operation by the New Hampshire State Police; the Campton/Thornton, Woodstock and Lincoln fire and rescue personnel; and the Lincoln and Woodstock police departments.
N.H. Fish and Game was called in at 1:30 p.m. on Friday to assist. Elizardo's body was spotted from a N.H. State Police helicopter about 5 p.m. in Woodstock, N.H., about 100 feet downstream from where it had last been seen. Fish and Game Conservation Officers were able to reach the body in the shallow, fast-moving water by using the Department's airboat.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of this young man," said Conservation Officer Jeremy Hawkes. "While the water is inviting on a hot summer day, N.H. Fish and Game advises people to always use caution when swimming in a river, and to be especially careful after a rainfall creates high water levels and strong currents."
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers were assisted in the recovery operation by the New Hampshire State Police; the Campton/Thornton, Woodstock and Lincoln fire and rescue personnel; and the Lincoln and Woodstock police departments.