Authorities confirm drowning of second swimmer in Rhode Island Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — A second person is confirmed to have drowned in a local body of water on Tuesday, according to Deputy Chief of the Smithfield Fire Department Steven Quattrini.

In a video obtained from Channel Zero Local News on Facebook, Quattrini confirmed that a dive team comprised of Smithfield and Cumberland personnel recovered the body of a 31-year-old man from Georgiaville Pond.

Smithfield police also confirmed the drowning, saying that the body was recovered from the pond at approximately 9:55 p.m., approximately 40 minutes after they received the call.

The victim, a Providence resident, was brought to shore and was pronounced deceased at the scene

This incident came only an hour after a missing swimmer’s body was recovered in the area of Sunset Cove at Lincoln Woods State Park Tuesday night.

“This is the first time I’ve had back-to-back drownings like this,” said Quattrini of his 35-year career in the department.

According to Quattrini, the team recovered the body of the man who had been at the pond beach with friends who reported him missing.

Approximately 30 divers searched the pond where the swimmer was recovered 25 feet from shore in 40 feet of water after approximately 20 minutes of searching.

The dive team that was searching the water at Lincoln Woods was diverted Georgiaville Pond.

Quattrini emphasized that several postings in the area notified visitors that the beach was closed and that no lifeguards were on duty in the area.

Quattrini said that the evening’s earlier activation of the dive team enabled personnel to make it to the Smithfield scene quickly.

Smithfield police are now investigating the incident as an accidental drowning.

Anyone with information in the incident is asked to contact the Smithfield Police Department at 401-231-2500.