SUMMARY: Boating Collision / Death Investigation
CASE #: 24WM0001014
On May 26, 2024 at approximately 2:36 PM, the Wilmington Police Department received a report of a child who had possibly fallen into the Harriman Reservoir, additional reports were received of a boat sinking with multiple people involved. Wilmington Police and Fire Departments sent units to multiple locations along Harriman Reservoir to attempt to locate boat in distress. During this time additional reports were received of a boating collision, with two people in the water, with a male who was unconscious and not breathing.
Recreational boaters nearby the scene of the collision provided assistance, recovered the two occupants from the water and transported them to Mountain Mills East Recreational Area. CPR had been attempted and life saving measures were continued at the boat ramp by Deerfield Valley Rescue. The victim was transported by ambulance to a landing zone near the Wilmington Public Safety Facility and a Lifestar helicopter conducted a landing to intercept the patient. The victim, identified as Thomas C Centinaro, age 67, from Wolcott CT, was pronounced deceased at the landing zone. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the Wilmington Police Department to assist with the investigation to determine the cause of death.
During the investigation it was determined that two individuals were ejected from the 1984 Ebbtide Montego 170 motorboat after the boat went out of control after striking a submerged obstruction. One of the individuals after being thrown into the water was reported to be in distress in the water. Wilmington Police were assisted by High Country Marina, Fish and Wildlife, Vermont State Police, Windham County Sheriffs, Wilmington and Whitingham Fire Departments, Dover Police Department, Lifestar, and Deerfield Valley Rescue.
The cause of death is still under investigation at this time.
