Family of Chicopee man missing in Conn. River hopeful he will be found

Yahoo

21-05-2025

HOLYOKE — An extensive search continues unabated for a Chicopee man who was swept into the Connecticut River while fishing Monday evening.
Volunteers from near and far having been combing the shoreline for Nicklas Delisle, 27, who was fishing with his girlfriend when their kayak got flipped upside down.
'I got a frantic call from Mya at around 7:30 p.m. on Monday night,' Nevin Bastin, Delisle's uncle, told The Republican on Wednesday afternoon.
Mya Ballard, 23, Delisle's girlfriend, was rescued by a passerby.
'It took all of the rescuer's strength and all of (Mya's) strength to pull her out of the river,' Bastin said, 'and she's a strong swimmer.'
Ballard told him that there were a few fishermen in the area, when Delisle disappeared around a bend, Bastin said. 'She asked if anyone had a life vest or rope or anything they could throw out to him,' he said.
He urges anyone thinking of going out on the river to wear life preservers.
'Life preservers are more comfortable now than they ever were before,' he said. 'Please wear one before you go out.'
Since Monday night, the Holyoke Fire Department and emergency services from 15 area departments have been searching for Delisle.
'At this point, it's about searching every nook and cranny of the river,' said Capt. David Rex of the Holyoke Fire Department.
On the river Wednesday afternoon, officers with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department's Marine Unit readied a boat to set off their search.
With a looming nor'easter expected to hit later Wednesday, the family understands that the search might be paused, Bastin said.
For now, they are still hopeful.
'We are so grateful to the person who rescued Mya and to the people who are showing up to use their free time to find Nicklas,' he said.
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