3 Storm-Related Deaths in Connecticut

A person was killed by a falling tree in Mansfield and a firefighter was killed in Easton

Superstorm Sandy has claimed the lives of an Easton firefighter, a 90-year-old Mansfield woman and a 34-year-old man who officials said went swimming in heavy surf during the storms on Monday.

Olga Raymond, 90, was killed when a tree fell as she and two other family members were trying to get to a neighbor's house on West Highland Road, state police said. 

The family lost power and was attempting to make its way to the home that still had electricity, police said.

The tree that fell had a power line wrapped around it, police said. The power company and a tree service responded to extricate Raymond from the tree and power line.

The other two victims suffered serious injuries and an ambulance transported them to Windham Hospital.

The office of the chief state medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Raymond's death.

Lt. Russel Neary, an Easton firefighter,  died from injuries suffered when a tree fell on his truck on Monday evening on Judd Road in Easton, according to the Easton Fire Department.

"Our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and fellow firefighters. Our first responders put their lives on the line, and when one of them loses their life,  we all feel the pain," Gov. Dannel Malloy said during a news conference on Tuesday morning.

While officials have confirmed two deaths, at least one other person is missing after a storm-related incident.

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According to the police Coast Guard, Brian Bakunas, 34, jumped from a pier around 8 p.m. on Monday  and was last seen swimming in heavy surf near the Walnut Beach Pier.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New Haven conducted a search of the area and were notified by Milford Police Department that they had located the missing swimmer and he was deceased, according to the Coast Guard.

The search will resume in daylight on Tuesday. A helicopter will be used for the search.

On Sunday, a kayaker was reported missing off of Silver Sands Beach in Milford. He is still missing, according to the Coast Guard.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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