Drowning victim in July 12 kayaking accident identified

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Anna Gdanian, left, during a mission trip to Namibia. Facebook

MANCHESTER, NH — Authorities have identified the victim of a kayaking accident on July 12.

Anna Gdanian, 32, of Manchester, died in what has been ruled an accidental drowning during a kayaking outing on the Piscataquog River. Gdanian, who grew up in Milford and was one of five children of Kyn and Maureen Gdanian, was a nurse, and worked at Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown.


Related: Obituary for Anna Gdanian


According to the most recent information available from NH State Police, just before 9 p.m. on Thursday, emergency crews were dispatched via a 911 call for a kayaker who had gone under after her kayak overturned in the Piscataquog River. Gdnanian was kayaking with three other adults in separate kayaks when she capsized and disappeared under the water. A woman on shore witnessed the accident and saw the victim’s companions unsuccessfully attempt to find her.

Upon arriving at the scene, members of the Manchester and Goffstown Fire Departments searched the area and were also unable to locate Gdnanian. Divers from Nashua Fire Department’s dive team joined the search until it was suspended for the evening.

NH Fish & Game’s dive team resumed the search the morning of Friday, July 13, and Gdanian’s body was recovered shortly after 9 a.m. in 14 feet of water.

At this time it appears that the consumption of alcohol and lack of personal flotation device may have been factors in this incident, however all aspects remain under investigation. Anyone who has further information related to this accident or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Dave Ouellette at 603-227-2111 or by email at dave.ouellette@dos.nh.gov.

Agencies assisting in this incident were NH State Police, its Marine Patrol unit, NH Fish & Game, Manchester Fire Department, Goffstown Fire Department, Nashua Fire Department’s dive team, Manchester Police Department, and Goffstown Police Department.

 

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!