17-year-old who drowned in Groton river identified

GROTON, Mass. — A 17-year-old who drowned in the Sqannacook River in Groton on Wednesday has been identified.

Austin Aryee of Leominster drowned while trying to cross the river while out with friends on Wednesday afternoon, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

Reports of a missing swimmer initially came in around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, sparking a massive water search for the teen.

Ryan earlier said five friends were using a rope swing to jump in and out of the water, and that’s when Austin went under trying to cross the river. He never resurfaced.

Officers assisting in the search for the teen reported that the water level was very high due to recent rains and the current was visibly strong, police said.

After searching the water for nearly an hour, Austin was pulled from the river at 4:30 p.m. and taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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