The man who was caught in a rushing river Thursday in Newbury, Massachusetts, and died was identified on Friday, hours after his body was recovered.
He was identified as Byfield resident David Harwood, 54, by the Essex County District Attorney's Office and Newbury police. Harwood had been wanted for days after fleeing an arrest at his home Jan. 3, police said, but was not being actively pursued.
Police and fire crews were called to the Parker River by Forest and River streets, in Newbury's Byfield community, just after 6:30 p.m. after a man was spotted entangled in brush in the water.
A bystander tried to go into the river to reach him, but couldn't, Newbury police said.
While the investigation into Harwood's apparent drowning remained ongoing as of Friday afternoon, authorities didn't suspect foul play.
Before his body was identified, Newbury police thought Harwood was out of town, based on technological evidence, police said. His house had been condemned based on its condition.
Harwood's death ends the criminal investigation into him, according to police. They didn't say what he was wanted for.
Neighbors said Parker River can be unpredictable — nearly dry at times but when storms hit, like the one this week, it can overflow.
"He said he went on, got close to him but just couldn't quite reach him. And then, the dive team and everything else came right in after that and they obviously had a hard time, too," Shaun Searle told NBC10 Boston on Friday.
The river was reinvigorated by this week's snow and rainstorms, stirring up powerful undercurrents that can be dangerous to those who encounter them.
"When I walked there the other day, it was surging, there was some white water," explained Joan Simeone, Newbury resident.
Late Thursday night, rescue crews were able to pull the man's body from the water, though challenged by the raging river.
"When responders arrived on scene, they extracted the good Samaritan safely who received treatment by an ambulance and was released. And then attempted to extract the party who was stuck in the water," Police Chief Patricia Fisher said.
The apparent drowning came as a shock to neighbors, who were reminded of the dangers in the depths of the Parker River.
"Everybody knows you have to be careful around there. Just got to be careful," said Searle.
Fisher said she doesn't know why the man was in the river in the first place.
More rain is on the way this weekend, which means Parker River will be strengthened once again, and a warning for people to stay clear.
