1 dead, 2 missing following boat accident in Old Saybrook

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (WTNH) — A man was found dead, and two people are missing after a boat accident in Old Saybrook, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The search resumed Tuesday morning for two people who are still missing. State Environmental Conservation officials said they believe their mission is a recovery effort, although they "always hope for the best."

Officials with DEEP said the accident happened before 9:15 p.m. Monday as the boat was coming from Block Island. Emergency crews on scene found a half-submerged 31-foot single motorboat with significant damage near the Harbor One Marina.

In total, nine people were on the boat at the time of the crash. A man was found dead inside the "significantly" damaged vessel, and six people were transported to the hospital--several of them after being ejected from the boat.

EnCon officials said the boat operator is in critical condition and another person has been released from the hospital.

According to DEEP officials, the boat hit the northern end of the east break wall at the mouth of the Connecticut River. It is not yet clear how the crash happened.

According to the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company, the accident was declared a mass casualty incident.

The search was suspended Monday night around 2:30 a.m. and resumed Tuesday morning around 7 a.m. The state police dive team is expected to be on scene at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Multiple crews from surrounding towns responded, including Middletown Fire, Middlesex Health (EMTs), Portland Fire, Essex Fire, Goshen Fire, Old Saybrook Fire and Police, Old Lyme Fire, Clinton Ambulance, the U.S. Coast Guard, Life Star, and the State Police Dive Unit.

Nearly a year ago, four people were injured after a cigarette boat crashed into a break wall off Old Saybrook on Sept. 4, 2023.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for more information.