The following accident occurred on August 18, 2009, at approximately 1341 hours.

The occupants of Vessel 1 were all onboard when the operator stopped the vessel near the middle of the lake.  The operator decided to go for a swim off the stern of the unanchored vessel.  While he was swimming, the wind caused the vessel to drift away from him.  The operator began to tire and signaled for one of the occupants to bring the boat closer to him.  The occupant instead entered the water without a PFD to assist the operator.  Before long, both swimmers began to struggle.  Another occupant entered the water wearing a PFD and carrying an additional PFD.  One of the occupants who remained on the vessel started the boat and attempted to maneuver toward the three people in the water; however, the third swimmer yelled to stop the boat because the woman driving did not know how to operate the boat and the third swimmer feared that they would be run over.  The original operator (first swimmer) was able to return to the boat with the extra PFD along with the third swimmer.  The first swimmer drove the boat closer to the struggling victim, grabbed a line from the boat, and jumped back into the water to help the second swimmer, but he sank below the water before the first swimmer could reach him. 

A recovery effort was launched by NH Marine Patrol and NH Fish and Game, and the body was recovered two days after the accident in about 135 feet of water.
Bristol                       