OLD SAYBROOK, Conn (WFSB) -
Officials have identified the man who drowned in the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook, Saturday afternoon.
Police said Donnie G. Perry, 51, of Middletown, was crabbing on Saturday afternoon, when he walked into the water to retrieve a crabbing trap. He then tripped and lost his footing, causing him to fall into the water.
Officials from Old Saybrook and other departments, including dive rescue teams from Middletown and Guilford, were called to the North Cove area off of Coulter Street in Old Saybrook, near where the man had disappeared.
Perry was located under water by a dive team more than an hour after the first 911 call was made.
Emergency personnel performed CPR and were able to get Perry's vital signs going. He was then taken to Middlesex Memorial Clinic in Essex.
Perry was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Officials are still investigating the incident, but told Eyewitness News it appears to be accidental.
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