GoFundMe Started For Central Maine Teen Who Died in Tragic Drowning

According to an article on the WCSH 6 website, rescue crews recovered the body of an 18-year-old Lewiston man who fell into the Androscoggin River while fishing Friday night.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says Siloé Irumva was fishing with friends near the Gulf Island Dam on Switzerland Road in Lewiston when the accident happened around 7:30 PM.

Investigators say Irumva slipped on a rock while trying to free a fishing lure tangled in a tree branch and fell into the river.  He was then swept downstream by the current.

Game wardens, along with the Lewiston Police Department and Lewiston Fire Department, searched into the night by boat and on foot. Crews also used drones and aerial surveillance as part of the search.

The search resumed Saturday morning with divers, including some who traveled several hours to assist.  Officials used underwater cameras and conducted extensive shoreline searches downstream.

Authorities say the operation was especially difficult because the area where Irumva disappeared sits between two dams. Brookfield Renewable, which operates the Gulf Island Dam, temporarily reduced water flow to improve conditions for rescue crews.

Wardens recovered Irumva’s body Saturday afternoon.

Family and friends gathered along the river throughout the search, hoping for answers.

Irumva, the eldest of four children, was born and raised in Bujumbura before moving to Lewiston more than two years ago.  Loved by many in the community, he was known for his dedication both in and out of school.  He played basketball for Lewiston High School and enjoyed spending time fishing with friends.

Just three weeks ago, Irumva graduated from Lewiston High School with a 4.0 GPA. He had been preparing to attend University of Maine at Augusta to study business and accounting this fall.

His sudden death has left his family, friends, and the Lewiston community mourning the loss of a young man remembered for his kindness, ambition, and bright future.

A GoFundMe has been started to help his family pay for funeral expanses.  You can make a donation HERE