Body of New Hampshire man recovered from Merrimack River

Police say 25-year-old Jeremiah Willey appears to have accidentally fallen off a railroad bridge

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:52pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken, twisted piece of metal railing against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of an accidental fall from a bridge.The tragic aftermath of an accidental fall from a bridge into a fast-moving river underscores the need for improved safety measures to prevent such incidents.Manchester Today

The body of a 25-year-old New Hampshire man was recovered on Sunday morning from the Merrimack River after he is believed to have accidentally fallen off a railroad bridge and into the water below around 7 p.m. the previous evening. New Hampshire State Police said Willey's death is not considered suspicious and remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Accidental falls from bridges and other elevated structures into rivers and other bodies of water are a tragic but not uncommon occurrence, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent such incidents.

The details

According to police, Willey was walking on a railroad bridge near Riverside Street in Hooksett when he fell into the Merrimack River below. A witness reported seeing Willey struggling to stay above the surface before he went under and did not resurface. Rescue crews, including New Hampshire Fish and Game, state police, and local fire and police departments, searched the area for several hours on Saturday before suspending the search temporarily. The search resumed on Sunday morning, and Willey's body was located around 9:15 a.m.

  • Around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Willey fell into the Merrimack River.
  • The search was called off temporarily on Saturday evening.
  • Crews returned to the water on Sunday morning.
  • Around 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, Willey's body was located.

The players

Jeremiah Willey

A 25-year-old New Hampshire man who appears to have accidentally fallen off a railroad bridge and into the Merrimack River, where he died.

New Hampshire State Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the incident and leading the search and recovery efforts.

New Hampshire Fish and Game

The state agency that deployed boats with side-scan sonar and divers to search the Merrimack River for Willey.

Hooksett Police Department

The local police department that responded to the scene along with other emergency services.

Hooksett Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the scene along with other emergency services.

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What they’re saying

“New Hampshire State Police said Willey's death is not considered suspicious, and remains under investigation.”

— New Hampshire State Police

What’s next

New Hampshire State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Willey's accidental fall from the railroad bridge.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the importance of improved safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent accidental falls from elevated structures into bodies of water, which can have devastating consequences.