ALTON, N.H. (AP) – Divers on Sunday recovered the body of one of the two men who disappeared while swimming in Lake Winnipesaukee.

The body of Derek McGovern, 32, of Boston, was recovered at about 1:30 p.m. in 33 feet of water about a quarter-mile from Varney Point in Gilford.

McGovern failed to make it back to a friend’s boat after jumping into the water Saturday evening. McGovern is an Irish national who lived in Boston’s Roslindale neighborhood, officials said.

The men disappeared hours apart Saturday while swimming in open water. New Hampshire Marine Patrol, Fish and Game Department and responders from Alton, Laconia and Gilford called off their search around 8:30 p.m.

Frederick Surette, 51, of Raymond, disappeared around 2:45 p.m. while swimming in choppy water off Rattlesnake Island in Alton. Surette and a swimmer were struggling in 3- to 4-foot waves. The other swimmer made it back to the boat but Surette did not, Marine Patrol Lt. Tim Dunleavy told The Citizen.

Windy, choppy conditions on Lake Winnipesaukee made for dangerous swimming conditions Saturday.

“In windy conditions, it’s really easy for someone to get pushed away from the boat,” Fish and Game Sgt. Jim Juneau said.

“People need to exercise caution. They need to think about the weather conditions, and think about their swimming abilities as well.”

The area where Surette is believed to have drowned is about 100 feet deep – too deep for divers but searchable by underwater cameras, Juneau said.



Information from: Concord Monitor, http://www.cmonitor.com

AP-ES-08-06-06 1831EDT


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