South Hadley, MA – Recovery efforts are continuing Wednesday along the Connecticut River in South Hadley after authorities received reports that a man entered the water near the Muller Bridge Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Marine Patrol Unit, Drone Unit, and the Western Massachusetts Regional Dive Team responded to the scene alongside South Hadley Police. The operation resumed Wednesday as crews worked through severe winter conditions complicating the search.
Officials say ice on the Connecticut River exceeds one foot thick in some areas, making it unsafe to deploy boats. Because of the hazardous conditions, teams have shifted to alternative methods, including aerial drones to survey the river and surrounding banks.
Authorities confirmed that the Massachusetts Environmental Police are also assisting by deploying a waterborne drone beneath the ice in an effort to locate the individual.
“Our specialty units are trained for some of the most challenging and unpredictable conditions,” said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. “While this is an incredibly difficult operation, our focus remains on supporting our partners and keeping the family of the individual at the center of everything we do.”
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the operation reflects strong regional collaboration and the specialized training required to operate safely in hazardous environments like icy waterways.
Officials have not released the identity of the man or additional details about the circumstances that led to the incident. No timeline has been provided for how long recovery efforts may continue.
Residents are urged to avoid the riverbanks in the area as crews continue their work.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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