Merrimack River Drowning Victim ID’d As Teen From Manchester, Marine Patrol Says: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Safety Marine Patrol said Wednesday night the death of a Manchester teen, due to a drowning on the Merrimack River, is not considred suspicious.

Robert Batchelder, 19, of Manchester, was swimming with a coworker when he went under the water and did not resurface. Witnesses said he struggled in the water.

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“Several people attempted to help him, but he went underwater before they were able to reach him,” the department said in a statement.

Boscawen and Concord firefighters launched boats and searched the area for close to an hour, and eventually found the teen near a sandbar on the Boscawen side of the river.

“At this time,” the statement said, “the death is not believed to be suspicious. The exact circumstances remain under investigation.”

Marine patrol officers were assisted by members of the Canterbury and Boscawen police departments, Merrimack County Sheriff's Office, Concord Fire Department, Canterbury Fire Rescue Department, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at christopher.j.prenaveau@dos.nh.gov or 603-724-5693.

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