Vermont State Police say a 39-year-old Fairfax resident, Robert Coreno, drowned in the Lamoille River on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington has ruled the death an accidental drowning following an autopsy.
According to police, the incident occurred when a 10-year-old child fell into the river. Coreno attempted to rescue her but struggled in the water. A neighbor intervened, successfully bringing the child to safety, but was unable to reach Coreno. Emergency crews, including Colchester Technical Rescue and local fire departments, began searching for Coreno after he was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. near Cleary Road off Vermont Route 104.
Search efforts continued into the evening, and Coreno’s body was located shortly after 7:15 p.m. and recovered from the river. No other injuries were reported in connection with this incident.
Vermont State Police remind the public to exercise caution around waterways, especially following recent storms that have increased water levels and currents. They advise checking conditions and using safety measures when swimming. Further updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.
Source: Vermont State Police
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