Body of drowned man recovered from river

AUGUSTA — The body of a 20-year-old man who drowned trying to swim across the Kennebec River was recovered by divers Tuesday.

The victim, Travis Kelley of Augusta, and a companion had jumped into the water on the west side of the river early Tuesday morning, Augusta police said.

The other man, Daniel Rehm, 20, of Augusta swam back to shore and went to the nearby police station for help when it became apparent that Kelley was having trouble staying afloat, said Sgt. Michael Small.

The incident was reported at 1:40 a.m., and police immediately began searching for Kelley.

Dozens of officers from the Augusta police and fire departments, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, the state Marine Patrol, the state police and the Coast Guard joined in the search before the body was found at 9:15 a.m., Small said.

Small declined to discuss what prompted the men to try to swim across the river.