Authorities announced Friday they have recovered the bodies of two men who went missing following a boat crash Monday night in Old Saybrook.
Both bodies were recovered from the water Friday afternoon, authorities said. The identities of the deceased men were not immediately released at that time.
The boat, with nine people on board, had "significant damage" on Labor Day after it hit a jetty at the mouth of the Connecticut River, according to a statement from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The crash also killed Christopher Hallahan, 34, of Westbrook.
Six people were transported to a local hospital, including the boat operator, who had been in critical condition earlier in the week, officials said.
The boat was returning from Block Island, officials said.
Various agencies responded to the boating accident around 9:15 p.m. Monday. A single motorboat was found floating, half-submerged, near the Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook, state environmental officials said.
Weather conditions Monday night do not appear to be a factor in the accident, said Capt. Keith Williams with Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police.
Accident near site of 2023 Labor Day crash
The crash happened near where another boat crashed on Labor Day 2023, sending four people to a hospital. Speaking at a briefing Tuesday, Williams of the DEEP police force pushed back at the suggestion that the spot is particularly hazardous.
“The jetties are well marked,” he said.
Williams said crews hoped to recover the damaged boat as well as the remains of the missing boaters Tuesday.
The man who was found dead on board the vessel was not wearing a life jacket, he said.
A dive team was on the scene Monday night, as well as boats, personnel and ambulances from surrounding towns, the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company said on social media. The U.S. Coast Guard was also assisting.
Authorities said they were working to get in touch with any witnesses or video of the accident.
Old Saybrook is about 30 miles east of New Haven.
Connecticut Public's Lori Mack, Eric Aasen, Patrick Skahill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
