HAVERHILL, Mass. – Authorities have identified a kayaker who drowned after being reported missing in the Merrimack River over the weekend.
Michael Ventura, 31, of Haverhill, had been fishing from a canoe at 44 Margin St. when it went down in the Merrimack River about 75 feet from shore around 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone. he said in a statement on Monday.
Witnesses who saw Ventura fall into the river were unable to contact him and called 911.
Emergency crews later recovered Ventura’s body from the river at around 6.30pm on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Haverhill Police and Fire responded to the scene, along with the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
The Haverhill Police Department and members of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit are still investigating the incident, but foul play is not suspected at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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