NASHUA – A personal caregiver, Janet Covert was in the middle of a Saturday afternoon visit with client Becky Mullis when the two heard a sudden commotion outside.

“She looked out and saw police running to the pond. One of them was in the water,” Mullis said, referring to Sandy Pond, the small body of water on the west side of the Arel Manor. For the next several minutes, Mullis, a double amputee who uses a motorized wheelchair, watched from her apartment as Covert – a trained lifeguard – and police struggled to pull an unresponsive man from the water.

Despite their efforts, plus a 30-minute life-saving attempt by American Medical Response paramedics, the episode ended tragically when 29-year-old Jay R. Coocen was pronounced dead at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.

Police said Saturday that the incident is under investigation. On Sunday, police didn’t immediately return a call seeking an update on the investigation.

On Saturday, witnesses told police that Coocen and another man jumped in the pond near Sandy Pond Park, a small city playground along National Street on the pond’s west shore. At least one “No swimming” sign is posted, along with a poster warning that the water could be unhealthful due to various contaminants.

Both men appeared to be intoxicated, witnesses said, and within minutes looked like they were having difficulty swimming. They hadn’t gone very far when Coocen began showing signs of distress.

Mullis said the men gave their wallets to people on shore before jumping in. During the rescue, the other man, who wasn’t injured, was loud and uttering obscenities as police tried to talk with him. She said he repeatedly identified himself as Coocen’s brother, but their relationship couldn’t immediately be confirmed. Police declined on Saturday to identify the man, nor did they say whether he may face charges.

Sunday’s sunny, warm weather drew a number of families to the oblong park. Some sat in the shade watching children fish while others grilled hamburgers and hot dogs near the so-called splash pad, where children cool off under several water fountains. Most had heard of Saturday’s incident, but none knew Coocen.

A former Milford resident, Coocen recently lived on Chestnut Street in Nashua. His current address is unknown, and there are no listings for that name in Nashua.

Nashua Fire Rescue received an emergency call at 2:18 p.m. and activated the fire/police dive team, according to Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Kerrigan. Upon firefighters’ arrival, “There were people in the water trying to get him out,” he said.

Covert, who arrived as a second police officer was removing his equipment belt, radio and other hardware preparing to jump in, told officers “I’m going in, I’ve had rescue training,” Mullis said.

Together, she, the officer and an unidentified male swimmer were able to wrest Coocen from the thick muck that covers the bottom of the pond. “She said his legs and feet were stuck and they had a hard time dragging him out,” Mullis said.

The three grabbed on to water-rescue buoys that firefighters had tossed to them and held on as crews pulled them to shore. Medics took over, working on Coocen “for a good 30 minutes,” Mullis said.

Efforts to revive Coocen continued as he was transported by ambulance to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Kerrigan said. Police later confirmed that Coocen was pronounced dead.

Staff writer Patrick Meighan contributed content to this story. Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-6443 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Also follow Shalhoup on Twitter (@Telegraph_DeanS).