Wakefield man ID'd as victim pulled from waters off Gilford island

Staff reports 6:08 a.m.


Wakefield man ID'd as victim pulled from waters off Gilford island

GILFORD - A Wakefield resident has been identified as the man who died while diving with a small group off Diamond Island on Sunday.

State Police Marine Patrol responded to the scene around 10:15 a.m. after being notified a water rescue was under way.

Initial investigation revealed that four divers were in the water when Gene Parker, 69, was found unresponsive. He was brought to the surface by a fellow diver and 9-1-1 was alerted.

A Good Samaritan and the assisting diver were unable to remove Parker from the water until Marine Patrol arrived.

Marine Patrol Supervisor David Jones and the dive partner administered CPR while the victim was transported to shore.

An autopsy by the NH Medical Examiner's Office was scheduled for Monday, and the victim's dive gear is being examined as well. Anyone who has further information related to this Incident is encouraged to contact Jones at (603) 293-2037 or by email at David.B.Jones@dos.nh.gov.