LYNN — Two 25-year-old women, Dahiana Canas of East Boston and Vanessa Correa of Lynn, have died after being pulled from the Merrimack River near Plum Island in Newburyport.
Emergency crews responded to a report of a swimmer in distress near Plum Island Point around 7 p.m. on June 8. According to Newburyport officials, a preliminary investigation indicates the situation appears to have been a “tragic accident.”
Two nearby fishing boats played a critical role in the rescue. A fisherman from one vessel brought one unresponsive woman to shore. The second woman, also unresponsive, was retrieved by the other boat with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Both women were initially taken to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport before being transferred to medical centers in Boston and Burlington in critical condition.
Correa passed away on Wednesday, followed by Canas on Thursday, according to city officials.
“Our hearts are heavy with the tragic news that the two young women rescued from the Merrimack River earlier this week have passed away,” said City Marshal Matthew Simons. “On behalf of the City of Newburyport, I extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones during this unimaginable time.”
Simons also expressed gratitude to those who responded. “We are extremely thankful to the citizens and first responders who did everything they could to save them,” he said. “We ask the community to keep everyone affected by this incident in their thoughts and prayers.”
The Newburyport Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
