Mass. man drowns in
lake accident
By BEA LEWIS
Northern Lakes Region Bureau
MEREDITH — Authorities are continuing to
investigate the circumstances surrounding the
apparent drowning death of a Massachusetts man
early Monday night.
State Marine Patrol Tuesday identified the
victim as Christopher Vasko of Wellesley, Mass.
Vesko was reportedly visiting the Lakes Region at
the time of the accident, according to Marine
Patrol Sgt. Crystal McLain.
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Members of Marine Patrol and New Hampshire
Fish and Game head out from Y Landing in
Meredith to search for the body of a swimmer
who drowned off Pine Island Monday afternoon.
The body was recovered around 6:00 pm and
transported from Cattle Landing to LRGH.
(Citizen Photo/Daryl Carlson) |
Authorities were called to Pine Island on Lake
Winnipesaukee about 5 p.m. Monday after at least
one person apparently witnessed Vasko go beneath
the water and fail to surface.
Members of the Laconia Fire Department’s Dive
Team were called to the scene and worked under the
direction of Conservation Officer James Goss of
the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. Vasko’s
body was recovered shortly before 6:30 p.m. on the
Bear Island side of Pine Island and was taken by
boat to Cattle Landing off Meredith Neck. The
divers used a triangulated search pattern and were
quickly able to locate the body.
Authorities were awaiting the arrival of a
medical examiner last night to make a preliminary
examination of Vasko’s body and determine whether
an autopsy was warranted. His body was expected to
be removed to a local funeral home pending the
determination of whether it would be taken to
Concord Hospital to be examined by the N.H.
Medical Examiner’s Office. As is routine in all
fatalities, a blood sample was taken from the
victim and will be tested for the presence of
drugs and or alcohol. Officials will also review
Vasko’s medical records as part of the
investigation.
Members of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol were
still interviewing residents of the island and
potential witnesses to determine what may have
contributed to the drowning.
The death marks the fifth water-related
fatality of the season in New Hampshire.
The Meredith Fire Department and Meredith
Police, who both have boats on Lake Winnipesaukee,
also assisted the New Hampshire Marine Patrol.
Authorities used Y-Landing where the Meredith Fire
Boat is docked as a base of operations.
The drowning marks the second death to occur on
the water in the Lakes Region during the long
Fourth of July weekend.
On Saturday night, Samantha Smith, 8, of
Auburn, was thrown from a boat and fatally injured
by the propeller. Authorities said Smith’s aunt,
Michelle Smith, 36, of Framingham, Mass. was
driving the 18-ft. bow rider-style boat that was
pulling a water skier when the accident occurred
on Lake Wicwas in Meredith.
Bea Lewis can be reached by calling 524-3800
ext. 5969 or by e-mail at:
blewis@citizen.com
