Investigation continues but information is scarce in Rochester woman's drowning

Looking north up the Salmon Falls River from where a path from Stair Falls Drive meets the water (Rochester Voice photo)

EAST ROCHESTER - The Rochester Voice has learned that State Police and Marine Patrol are still actively investigating the circumstances surrounding a Rochester woman's drowning in the Salmon Falls River a week ago.
Meanwhile, Marine Patrol public information officers remain tight-lipped about what their investigation has turned up thus far.

So far they have not released information on how the tragedy occurred or if there were witnesses.
The area where 40-year-old Doreen Allen drowned last Thursday is a lazy part of the Salmon Falls River where children often cool off in the summer, neighborhood residents told The Rochester Voice on Saturday.
The land where the Stair Falls development meets the river - less than a minute walk from the Stair Falls Drive cul de sac - is owned by the neighborhood's association. It is private land, but the association doesn't strictly enforce trespassers, said one local.
Newly installed Rochester Fire Chief Dennis Dube told The Voice Marine Patrol would be in charge of any information released on the incident, but did indicate that the location where Allen drowned was slightly north of where a beaten path from the cul de sac meets the river.
Safety officials urged caution in the wake of the tragedy, but failed to cite any specific hazards.
Allen was pulled from the water by responders shortly after state 911 dispatch received a call around 4 p.m.
She was taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
The swimming hole is a short distance from the end of Stair Falls Drive in East Rochester near Keay Field and Crow Hill Drive.

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page has been put up to help the family with final expenses. Donations can be made by clicking here.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact New Hampshire State Police - Marine Patrol Sergeant Joshua Dirth at Joshua.E.Dirth@dos.nh.gov or (603) 227-2115.