Divers locate Bridgeport fisherman 20 feet down after he disappears in Weston river
The Weston Police Department, Fire Department and EMS all rushed to the area, but because of the water conditions, had to call the Norwalk Police Department's Scuba team for help.
Weston Police say 27-year-old Freddie Pulla, a Bridgeport resident, died Sunday evening after falling in the water while fishing in the area right below Devil's Glen waterfall.
According to police, Pulla was there with several friends when he fell in after 6 p.m. and never came back to the surface.
"His friends tried immediately to jump in and rescue him, but were also having trouble swimming," said Weston Police Department Captain Joseph Miceli. "They immediately ran to a neighboring home because there was no cell service in that area and were able to call 911."
The Weston Police Department, Fire Department and EMS all rushed to the area, but because of the water conditions, had to call the Norwalk Police Department's Scuba team for help.
"The victim's friends contacted family members, so there were family members on scene, so that did get a little chaotic at times, because obviously there's a great amount of concern," Miceli added.
Divers found Pulla approximately 20 feet underwater shortly before 8:30 p.m.
Even though he had been down there for more than two hours, first responders still tried to save him both at the scene, and later, at Norwalk Hospital.
"With the cold water conditions, and hypothermic conditions, there always is a chance," Miceli said. However, it was too late to save Pulla.
"A very tragic and difficult situation," Miceli said.
While fishing is allowed in that area, swimming is not. There is even a sign that tells visitors that swimming is prohibited posted on the road.
Miceli told News 12 it is a spot that is on the police department'sradar, since they usually get a few calls every summer about kids who try to dive in off the rocks.
"That particular hole is quite deep there, and it's in the river, so there is a current when the water is running," Miceli said. "So, we're sensitive to the potential of something like this happening there."
Still, he says in 20 years on the job, this is the first time he can remember actually getting a call like this to that spot.
"It's quite a trying time," he said. "We're sitting here in a celebratory weekend really - a weekend of reflection for other reasons, turned into a tragedy for the family."
