The body of a West Springfield man was pulled from Hampton Ponds this morning following an extensive search that began Saturday afternoon.
Nicolae Ulinici, 46, of 18 Piper Rd. in West Springfield, was reported missing shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, after having entered the water from a boat and not resurfacing. Westfield and Southampton police and fire departments responded to the call, as did the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and Dive Team.
The Westfield Fire Department received a call at 3:13 p.m. Saturday and responded to Hampton Ponds with the deputy chief, Engine 3, two ambulances and the department boat. The WFD remained at the scene until the search was suspended due to darkness about 9 p.m.
The search was conducted by the dive team under the direction of Sgt. Blake Gilmore, but the victim was not located as of nightfall. The search was resumed early Sunday and Ulinici’s body was recovered at approximately 9:30 a.m. and was pulled from the Southampton side of the ponds.
The incident remains under investigation by the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit and Southampton Police Department. Foul play is not suspected.
