Search continues for 2 swimmers reported missing in Candlewood Lake Monday night

DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Emergency crews resumed their search Wednesday for two swimmers missing after jumping into the water at Candlewood Lake Monday night.

Officials with the Danbury Fire Department said two males were reported missing after jumping off a boat in the area of City Island between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m. Monday.

They were reported missing after about three others on the boat noticed they did not return.

DEEP said the swimmers are 26-year-old and 38-year-old males.

Rescue crews were immediately dispatched and used sonar and underwater imaging equipment while they searched until about 2:30 a.m., but the operation was called off for the night.

They resumed the search on Tuesday, while a group of family members of the missing men stood along the edge of the lake watching it all happen, hugging each other, some with tears in their eyes.

Danbury Fire Chief Richard Thode said there’s a lesson to be learned from the situation.

“When you’re out on the water, always wear a life vest. If you are swimming at night, always have somebody keeping an eye on you,” he said.

According to our News 8 meteorologists, the weather could have impacted the search Monday night. There was a complex of sudden thunderstorms moving through the area around 11:50 p.m.

Fire officials said Candlewood Town Park and Danbury boat launch were both closed Tuesday and Wednesday and boaters are asked to avoid the area.

Officials said the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has taken over the scene and is the lead investigating agency.

Mutual aid dive teams from Connecticut State Police, Danbury Police, Brookfield Police, NUSAR, and Region Five were deployed, along with Brookfield Police’s air drone. Additional assistance came from the Candlewood Lake Association-Lake Patrol, Danbury EMS, Sherman, New Fairfield, Candlewood Lake Authority, Ball Pond, Salvation Army and Danbury Volunteers from Squad 19 and 31.

The search was suspended for Tuesday night around 4 p.m. and resumed around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.

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