Drowning victim ID’d: Wilson Newcomb-Gerken, of Blandford, is second to die in Lower Mill Pond in four months

EASTHAMPTON — The 25-year-old Blandford man who died kayaking in the Lower Mill Pond on Saturday has been confirmed as Wilson Newcomb-Gerken, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.

Newcomb-Gerken’s drowning is the second to occur in the pond in the past four months.

Newcomb-Gerken died despite bystander efforts to rescue him. Emergency responders were alerted by a 911 call made by a witness at 2:45 p.m. The witness reported a man in distress in the water. Two people had entered the water in an attempt to save him but were unsuccessful. Another individual kayaking with Newcomb-Gerken was not injured.

According to the DA’s office, Newcomb-Gerken was recovered by police dive team members, and subsequently declared dead at 5:15 p.m.

Easthampton Police and Fire did not respond immediately for comment. The investigation is still ongoing.

Just three months ago in August, 22-year-old Rodney Yankson of Easthampton was discovered dead in the Lower Mill Pond by a father-son duo who were fishing in the area. Yankson, who graduated from Easthampton High School in 2021, had last been seen leaving home on a mountain bike the Tuesday before he was found.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.