Man Rescued From Willimantic River

COVENTRY, CT — Coventry Police officers rescued a man on Tuesday after he apparently jumped into the Willimantic River.

The incident took place at about 12:15 p.m.

Officers began searching a wooded area around the man’s home on Riverview Drive after receiving a report that the man had heard news about his wife’s death and ran out of the home, police said.

Officer Robert Dexter and Officer Olivia Beausoleil crossed the river on foot and were
able to get through thick brush to reach the man, who was having a difficult time
holding onto a log because of the river current, according to a report.

Both officers were able to pull him out of the river to safety, police said.

Because that side of the river was not accessible by vehicles, officers and emergency
responders from the North Coventry Fire Department and the Coventry Ambulance
Department assisted in taking the man back to the other side to a waiting ambulance,
where he transported to Manchester Memorial Hospital for evaluation, police said.