EASTHAM, MA — Authorities conducted an extensive search operation Tuesday at Bee’s River for two missing Eastham residents.
Gerard Boucher, 72, and Kathleen Boucher, 71, both of Eastham, were identified as the victims in the water incident at First Encounter Beach.
The multiagency search included personnel from the Eastham Police and Fire Departments, Massachusetts State Police Dive Team and Airwing, Barnstable County Technical Rescue and Dive Team, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Fire Service and Providence Canteen.
Units arrived at 7 a.m. and the operation concluded at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Favorable ice conditions early in the day allowed divers to enter the water and conduct a broad search of Bee’s River.
Multiple drones and the Massachusetts State Police Airwing provided an aerial search of the area.
After approximately four hours, the incoming tide returned large amounts of ice to Bee’s River, making an ongoing water search ineffective.
Ice conditions will continue to be monitored and additional water searches may occur in the coming days.
