Vermont man's body recovered from Connecticut River
Jan. 3—New Hampshire first responders have recovered the body of a 74-year-old Vermont man who apparently drowned in the Connecticut River on Monday.
Divers from New Hampshire Fish and Game found Roger Blake of Norwich, Vermont, Tuesday morning near Hanover, downstream from the man's home.
Blake had been reported missing by family members Monday evening, according to a news release. He had been out raking and tidying up his lawn about 3 p.m. that day, but his family noticed he had not come back inside about two hours later and went to look for him.
They found a rake halfway down a steep embankment along the river and called for help, fearing Blake had fallen into the river, officials said.
Searchers from Hanover Fire and Rescue, Norwich police and fire, the Hartford, Vermont, fire department and Lebanon Fire Department searched for the man but were unable to locate him that evening.
Searchers returned to the area Tuesday morning and Blake's body was recovered about 10 a.m., officials said.
