A mannequin being used by the fire department during a water rescue drill sank Sunday in the lower Housatonic Valley River.
The mannequin went under at about 11 a.m.
The mannequin is designed to be life-like, so Shelton Fire Chief Francis Jones is spreading the word in case anyone spots what looks like a human body in the river.
The mannequin — known in the business as “manikins” and designed specifically for water rescue training — is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds when submerged. It was wearing blue shorts.
It is not supposed to sink, unless firefighters weigh it down. This mannequin appears to have sprung a leak.
The mannequin was last seen near the Sunnyside Boat Launch, about 30 yards from shore.
Firefighters believe its is most likely sitting on the bottom of the river, in a spot where the Housatonic drops into a deeper channel.
The mannequin apparently sank feet first, as if it was standing, with its arm extended upward.
Perhaps it was saying goodbye.
This isn’t the first time a rescue dummy decided to go under.
About two weeks ago firefighters in Wisconsin issued an alert after their rescue mannequin sank in Lake Winnebago.
Locally, authorities in Derby, Milford and Stratford were notified of the lost mannequin, as were marina officials.
Jones said he has been in contact with Shelton police, who may attempt to retrieve the mannequin this week as a training exercise.
The mannequin is about 10 years old and cost $100 to purchase, fire officials said.
