Man pulled from pond in Durham

DURHAM, Conn. (WTNH) -- Record temperatures brought out swimmers in droves Monday, but for one young man diving into the water in Durham ended in tragedy.

It is clearly marked, Miller's Pond is not a designated swim area and there are no lifeguards there.

However, even late in the day there are kids lounging around on the rocks and folks paddling by in a canoe. The picturesque state park is always a draw.

"Big time, this is like the hot spot for me and my family to come by for swimming," said Joshua Pearson, of Middletown.

Pearson had planned to swim Monday, but when he arrived at the park he found a horrible scene.

A 22-year-old man from Windsor was swimming with friends when he went under the water and did not re-surface.

Divers from Middletown South District and the Haddam volunteer fire department found him, but witnesses say he was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water.

A heart-breaking scene for his friends.

"Big time, they were calling people, crying," said Pearson.

The man was rushed to Middlesex Hospital and then flown by Lifestar to Hartford Hospital.

"It's freaky, but it's hard to say," Pearson said, "it's kind of scary though."

Since it occurred in a state park, the DEEP is the lead agency on this.

The investigation is ongoing.