Groton Volunteer Firefighter Found Dead at Ricker Pond

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Created on Sunday, 06 March 2016 00:08

Written by Tom Weineck

GROTON - Reporter Tyler Simpson was on scene and reports that the Vermont State Police SCUBA team located the body of Groton Volunteer Firefighter Jordan Smith Saturday morning. Smith was last seen at a campsite with his friends.

According to Vermont State Police Captain Robert Cushing, Smith notified friends where he was going before he left a camp site to snowmobile. Officials say when Smith did not return, his friends went looking for him and discovered snowmobile tracks leading to a hole in the ice on Ricker Pond.

State Police were notified around 2:30 AM on Saturday. They responded to the scene, along with the Groton Fire Department and various rescue personnel from Woodsville EMS, Danville Fire Department, Peacham Fire Department, Plainfield Fire Department, and Upper Valley Rescue.

The Vermont State Police SCUBA team arrived around 8:15 AM and recovered Smith’s body around 11:00 AM, which was located 40 feet from the shore in about 14 feet of water.

“There is a channel that runs in the middle of the pond… it has been opened, probably late last week it was opened. There was a skim of ice over the section where he went through.” Said Captain Cushing

Smith’s body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office, where they will conduct an autopsy. According to Cushing, the VSP Criminal Division will conduct an investigation, however there are no signs of foul play.

“The Criminal Division is here along with the Assistant Medical Examiner. The body will be transported to Burlington for autopsy. Just like any other death the Criminal Division will conduct a thorough investigation,” said Capt. Cushing

Police believe Smith was riding alone.

The Groton Volunteer Fire Department lowered it flag to half-staff.