New Milford Teen Identified As Bantam Lake Drowning Victim

Connecticut officials have identified a young New Milford man as the victim who died after drowning on Bantam Lake.

According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), 19-year-old Leonel Salvador of New Milford was found in Bantam Lake by members of the Goshen Dive Team about 150 feet from shore in the area near Point Folly camp ground.

As reported earlier, first responders from Morris Fire Department, Litchfield Ambulance, the Goshen Dive Team and the Region 5 Dive team, responded to the Point Folly Camp Ground area of Bantam Lake around 3:15 Sunday afternoon (June 30) after a report of a drowning.

When help arrived, witnesses said they saw that a man, originally believed to be in his 20s ,was in distress and submerged near the southeastern end of Point Folly and the search began.

The rescue teams reportedly located Leonel Salvador around 4:03 PM and he was rushed to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital while emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate the him. He was pronounced dead at 5:00 PM.

Apparently, the 19-year-old was having issues swimming and submerged after an unsuccessful attempt to help by his girlfriend.

The drowning is still under investigation by both the Connecticut State Police and CT DEEP.