For the second time in less than a week, there has been a drowning in Candlewood Lake in New Milford.
Rescue crews were called to the scene near Mist Hill Drive after someone went under Thursday afternoon.
The victim was identified as Marian Mikolajczyk, 57, of New Milford. Police say he drowned after falling into the lake, not far from his home. He was found hours later by his wife.
Family and friends lined the street in front of his home Thursday night. Neighbors were stunned.
"I'm still trying to digest this right now. He was the nicest man in the world. I need to go over and see his wife," said Reggie Mclellan, the victim's next door neighbor.
People who live on the lake say it can be dangerous. They say the millfoil weeds are a problem. It's unclear if the weeds played any role in Mikolajczyk's death.
"Its a deep lake and it has a lot of weeds. There's thick grass and all. People should get educated," said Fernanda O'Shea, of New Milford.
Local
Saturday crews pulled an elderly woman from Candlewood Lake. Ursula Lerse, 85, of New Milford was swimming when she slipped under the water. She was pronounced dead a short time later.
Two others drowned on Saturday. 10-year-old Fajir Javid died after going under the water at Wilderness Lake in Willington. And Juan Lopez, 23, was swimming at Bulls Bridge in Kent when he drowned.
