Police remove man’s body from river

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A body that firefighters pulled from the Providence River near Dyer Street Saturday afternoon showed no signs of trauma, according to police Cmdr. Thomas Verdi.

Firefighters retrieved the body after a man called police to report a person floating in the water. Verdi said the police do not suspect foul play and have not yet identified the body, but he said it was that of an adult man.

Police, firefighters and workers from the medical examiner’s office swarmed the river Saturday at about 1:30 p.m., police Maj. David Lapatin said. The man was “mostly” in the water, but partially rested on the rocks.

On South Water Street, people stopped to watch the rescue, snapping photos while, across the river, firefighters waded into the water and pulled the body onto a boat. Using a ladder, the firefighters pushed the boat onto land.

The investigation is in its early stages, Lapatin said Saturday afternoon. Officers will search the man for identification, check missing persons lists, and call neighboring departments. They will also check to see if any cars had been parked by the water for a day or two, he said.

As for how long the man was in the water, Lapatin said he was not sure. 

- jtempera@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7121

On Twitter: @jacktemp