NEW BEDFORD — A 26-year-old Missouri man died Sunday evening after he jumped into the water from a fishing vessel at Fish Island and failed to resurface, authorities said.
The New Bedford Police Department said officers responded to Fish Island at approximately 6 p.m. for a report of a crew member who had entered the water to cool off and did not resurface. The crew had been working aboard a vessel at the time.
The New Bedford Fire Department also responded after receiving a report of an individual who had jumped from a boat into the water.
Marine 38, staffed by members of Engine 1 and Ladder 1, arrived and confirmed that a man had entered the water from a fishing vessel berthed at Fish Island, southwest of Norpel Fish Co.
Firefighters assisted the New Bedford Police Department with a coordinated vessel and water search in the area. The NBPD Marine Unit and Dive Team deployed two divers, who located the man in approximately 40 feet of water and recovered him after several minutes.
The victim was later identified as 26-year-old Mitchell Klouw of Missouri.
Fire personnel helped remove Klouw from the water and transfer him aboard an NBPD vessel. They immediately began CPR and placed him in a Stokes basket while New Bedford Emergency Medical Services initiated advanced life support procedures.
Despite the rescue efforts, Klouw died.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
