Man missing in Conn. River after Jet Ski crash in Northampton 

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 05-29-2023 2:07 PM

NORTHAMPTON — A search for a missing Jet Skier following a collision with a boat on the Connecticut River early Sunday evening continued on Memorial Day, according to the Massachusetts State Police.

State police, joined by Massachusetts Environmental Police and local public safety agencies, were looking for a man, believed to be 51 years old, who was riding the personal watercraft that collided with the boat around 7 p.m. in Northampton, according to state police spokesman David Procopio.

Two occupants of the boat were rescued by Environmental Police officers and transported by boat to the state boat ramp along Route 5 in Easthampton. They were transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for treatment.

The search continued Sunday until nearly midnight without locating the Jet Skier.

Troopers and officers Monday deployed side-scan sonar equipment, which feeds a sonar image of the water column and river bottom back to a monitor on the boats. Anomalies or objects detected by the sonar then allow divers to enter the water to investigate what is found.

The Route 5 boat ramp in Easthampton was closed throughout the day and officers were also stationed in the area of the Oxbow and at Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley.

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