NJSP Lake Hopatcong Station (a substation of Newark Bay Station) were detailed to Farrington Lake at Hardenburg Lane Bridge(AKA Washingto Place Bridge) in reference a vessel accident. Upon arrival NJSP Teams, North Brunswick PD, East Brunswick PD and Brookview Fire Dept were already on Scene. They advised they had identified a possible victim, who capsized his 7 foot white/blue plastic rowboat was in the vincinity Of the bridge and was missing.
At approximately 06:47 hours two fisherman, found a capsized vessel drifting near the North Brunswick Shore of Farrington lake near the Hardenburg Lane Bridge near the parking lot of "Sir Johns Restaurant". There were numerous items floating near the drifting vessel including a hat,bucket,fishing net,and gray/black paddle. The towed the capsized vessel to shore and called 911 at approximately 07:01 hrs.. The Victims truck was in a dirt parking lot on the opposite shore from the restaurant.
Spoke to victim’s father who advised that his father left their residence at appoximately 05:00 am to go fishing at Farrington lake. He later arrived on scene and confirmed that the vessel belonged to his father.

Inspection of the vessel did not show any indication of foul play or anything of a suspicious nature. The vessel did not appear to have substantial damage and there was no blood staining in any areas of the vessel. In the boat was a handmade seating device , which consisted of two large wooden boards secured together as a base for a large folding seat. The seat was not a manufactured part of the vessel and it was unclear as to how it was secured to the vessel itself, possibly via a rope secured to the device. There was no evidence of alcohol use or perscription medication at the scene.
Further investigation revealed that "Sir John Restaurant" had a surveillance camera pointed toward the lake near the bridge. Video footage revealed the victim rowing the 7 foot white and blue dingy at 06:15 hrs towards the bridge. He was out of view of the camera at 06.18 hrs near the bridge. Then at 06:28 hrs, the same vessel was observed drifting by without the occupant.

NJSP Teams recovered the victim after a through underwater search with divers at 15:45 Hrs. The body was located at the base of the bridge on the North Brunswick Shore line. The deceased body was lifted from the water, using a stokes strecher on to NJSP vessel 8266 at about 1551 hrs and transported to the ramp parking lot on the East Brunswck side of the lake. He was pronounced by Dr of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after confering with Medics at 1617 hrs..
The postmortem examination was at the Middlesex County Medical Examiner's office In North Brunswick on 10/10/2013. The autopsy was conducted by Dr., assistant medical examiner, ME case # 13-292. Dr determined the cause of death was asphyxiation due drowning.

Investigation revealed: The victim was out fishing in a 7ft row boat and capsized. He was not wearing a PFD  at the time and one was not found at the scene. The victim had an extensive medical history, which could have been a contributing factor.
North brunswick Twp