A 37-year-old man known for being “selfless” drowned while rescuing two family members trapped in a fast-moving river current in New Hampshire.
Vincent Parr was visiting the Swift River near Passaconaway Road in Albany, New Hampshire, with his family around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, when a mother and child became trapped in the raging river.
Parr jumped in without hesitation to save his two loved ones, but got caught in the dangerous current. New Hampshire State Police said the mother and child made it to shore, but Parr was killed trying to save them.
Bystanders on the scene brought the man to shore and performed CPR, but he could not be resuscitated.
He died on the spot, officials said.
Pictured: Vincent Parr, 37, died Sunday trying to save his two loved ones during a fast-flowing river in New Hampshire
Stephen Solomon, chief of the Conway Village Fire District, which serves the White Mountains area, told The Boston Globe that the Swift and Saco rivers have had higher water levels and faster, colder currents due to a summer of heavy rainfall.
Officials said multiple agencies responded, including the New Hampshire State Police E, the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol, the Carrol County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement, the United States Forest Service Rangers and the Conway Fire Department.
Amber Lagace, a spokesperson for the New Hampshire Police Department, said in a press release that the “investigation is ongoing” and asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have additional details to contact New Hampshire State Police. Hampshire.
Par told The Boston Globe her son was a “dutiful son” who “always put his relatives first.” She told how he often traveled from Massachusetts to Vermont to attend family events.
“This is the man he is,” she said. “He put everyone before himself.”
Parr, who had a background in engineering and was a graduate of the University of Michigan, worked for Veranova, a North Andover pharmaceutical company.
Following the news of his unexpected and sudden death, his company stated that it was a “sudden and tragic loss” and grief counselors would be on site for their employees.
“Our hearts and condolences go out to his family at this very difficult time,” they wrote in part in a statement. “Vincent was known and respected by many in Veranova.”
The grief-stricken mother said she was “in awe of the man I raised.”
She added, “I think there was a special sprinkling of God in it to make him who he is. I could never have done that so well on my own.’
Stephen Solomon, chief of the Conway Village Fire District, which serves the White Mountains area, said the Swift and Saco rivers have had higher water levels and faster, colder currents due to a summer of heavy rainfall.
Due to the state of the river, the fire chief pointed out that there has been a significant increase in water rescues this year.
Normally the average is about six rescues on the river, but this year that number has jumped to 14 rescues for 24 people and two dogs so far.
Solomon added, “We see a lot more problems on the rivers.”
He warned those visiting the Mount Washington Valley region to take precautions if they plan to enter a river. He also urged those who are not strong swimmers to be careful and stay away from powerful currents.
Parr’s death was the third drowning in New Hampshire in the past week.
On August 15, Melissa Bagley, wife of Everett Police Lt. Sean Bagley, while trying to save her 10-year-old son after he slipped and fell into a swimming hole at Franconia Falls in Lincoln.
At around 7:30 p.m. Friday, a man fishing with his fiancee drowned in Canterbury’s Crane Neck Pond after his canoe capsized, police said.
“The daily reminder is that this is not a carnival ride,” said Solomon. “This is a wild river and inherently dangerous.