Drowning Lake Winnipesaukee - Vicinity Of Grant Island, Wolfeboro

On Saturday, January 1, 2022, at approximately 11:05 PM, New Hampshire State Police - Marine Patrol Unit received information that five people in a canoe had fallen in the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, four were on shore, but one person was missing prompting a rapid water rescue response.

Members of the Wolfeboro Police, Wolfeboro Fire, Tuftonboro Fire, Wakefield Fire, Alton Fire, Fish and Game, NH State Police – Troop E and Marine Patrol Units responded to the scene. A collaborative investigation and search effort later revealed, two separate paddle craft, a two-person kayak and a canoe, each with two people aboard left shore in Wolfeboro intending on reaching Grant Island. While underway for a short amount of time, the paddlers decided to return to the shoreline, when both vessels capsized, putting all four occupants in the cold water. All four victims attempted to swim to the Grant Island shoreline using one of the capsized vessels as floatation.

A friend of the paddlers heard the distress from the shoreline and took a canoe to provide aid. The friend selflessly and successfully aided three of his friends onto the shoreline of Grant Island until First Responders arrived. Fish and Game and Wolfeboro Fire Rescue later recovered the drowning victim, an adult male from Massachusetts, in approximately 15’ of water. None of the paddlers had life jackets.

Although the investigation continues, the circumstances do not appear to be suspicious. The decedent’s name is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

State Police – Marine Patrol strongly reminds all boaters to wear their life jacket, especially in cold-water.

Anyone who has further information related to this drowning is encouraged to contact New Hampshire State Police - Marine Patrol, Sgt. Joshua E. Dirth at (603) 227- 2115 or by email at Joshua.E.Dirth@dos.nh.gov.

UPDATE:  The name of the decedent is Andre C. Rubert, Age 20, of Framingham, MA.