An 18 year old Woodsville, NH, man was missing and presumed drowned in the Wells River late Tuesday.

Vermont State Police said Richard Wayne Palmer and an unidentified male companion capsized a canoe in the river near Groton at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said the other man swam to safety in the turbulent river which was flooding its banks. Rescue workers unsuccessfully searched the scene on Tuesday, and state police divers will continue the search Wednesday.

SOURCE: Brattleboro Reformer Newspaper, Vermont

COMMENTS: This was one of several accidents involving inexperienced paddlers which occurred during a rare period of late season high water in New England. (CW)