Police are searching for the body of a Colchester man who presumably drowned in Malletts Bay after helping his floundering children Wednesday morning.
July 3 at about 9:46 AM, the Colchester Police received a call regarding a missing swimmer. Police say Cory Lavallee, 37 had been in distress and had not resurfaced after going under water. He had jumped into the water to assist one of his children who was also in distress and he was able to assist her back to their inflatable boat, but was not able to get himself or the children back in the boat. A sailboat nearby saw the kids in the water and was able to rescue them and call for help.
An extensive search of the area was conducted by the Colchester Police Department, Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Technical Rescue, Colchester Rescue, The United States Coast Guard, Vermont State Police, Vermont Fish and Wildlife and the South Hero Fire Department. A search from the air was also conducted by Coast Guard Helicopter and a US Customs and Border Protection fixed winged Aircraft.
Police do not say whether Lavalley or his children were wearing lifejackets.
The search has transitioned into a recovery effort.