NEW MILFORD — Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue (NUSAR) was among the many emergency services units that took part in a lengthy search for a swimmer who had gone missing in Candlewood Lake on the afternoon of Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

The body of Joshua Dasilva, 17, of New Milford was found by divers in the lake midday on Wednesday, May 29, off the Dike Point Recreation Area, near the place where he had last been seen by friends with whom he had been swimming.

The recreation area, which is popular with picnickers and hikers, is owned by the First Light electric utility company and is posted with “No Swimming” signs.

NUSAR Chief Mike McCarthy said that NUSAR volunteers were dispatched to the lake on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the search for the swimmer.

NUSAR was among a half-dozen emergency services units involved in the search, Chief McCarthy said. The divers used underwater search patterns in seeking the missing swimmer and also employed a side-scan sonar device and underwater camera in their search, the chief added.

The search was suspended at dark on Monday. It restarted on Tuesday and was suspended at 5 pm due to adverse weather. The search resumed on Wednesday morning.

During the course of the operation, one NUSAR member suffered a ruptured eardrum and was transported to a hospital to be checked.

Of the search operation, Chief McCarthy said, “It was well-coordinated, and everybody worked as a team. Everyone was there for one reason: to return this gentleman to his family.”