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Connecticut State Police Sergeant Swept Away, Killed By Rising River Waters

Connecticut Public Radio | By Matt Dwyer
Published September 2, 2021 at 5:05 PM EDT
Officers and equipment line River Bend Drive after an on-duty state police sergeant has died after his cruiser was swept away in flood waters in the Pomperaug River in Woodbury Connecticut, September 02, 2021.
Joe Amon
/
Connecticut Public
Officers and equipment line River Bend Drive in Woodbury after an on-duty Connecticut State Police sergeant died when his cruiser was swept away in floodwaters in the Pomperaug River, Sept. 2, 2021.

An on-duty state police sergeant in Connecticut died Thursday after his cruiser was swept away in floodwaters in Woodbury.

Brian Mohl, a 26-year department veteran, called for help at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police searched the area with divers, helicopters, boats and drones and found the sergeant in the swollen river later in the morning after daybreak. First responders performed lifesaving measures, and Mohl was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The waters rose as the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought torrential rain, flooding and power outages to Connecticut. The chief of the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department said the Pomperaug River rose quickly overnight. The area where the sergeant’s car was swept away is dark, with no streetlights.

Mohl was assigned to Troop L, which covers Woodbury.

A state police spokesman said the sergeant was an experienced member of the agency.

Updated: September 2, 2021 at 5:06 PM EDT
This story has been updated. Information from The Associated Press is included.
News
Matt Dwyer
Matt Dwyer is an editor, reporter and midday host for Connecticut Public's news department. He produces local news during All Things Considered.
See stories by Matt Dwyer

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