Monday, June 8, 2009

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Wife: Man had cramp before fall into river

TAUNTON, Mass. -- Taunton police have identified the man who fell into the Taunton River from a railroad trestle over the weekend.

Police say 38-year-old David Deforest fell into the river late Saturday night and his body was recovered Sunday afternoon.

The man's wife, Erica Deforest, tells The Taunton Gazette that she and her husband were walking across the trestle when he suffered a leg cramp. She says he lost his balance and tumbled over the side.

Sgt. Matthew McCaffrey says David Deforest was wearing heavy hiking boots which may have made it difficult for him to swim.

The couple was homeless and had been living in a tent city near the tracks.

McCaffrey says the case remains under investigation.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)