The search is expected to continue Sunday for a woman believed to have fallen through the ice at a New Hampshire pond and likely drowned.

The incident at Big Island Pond in Atkinson began just before 5:30 p.m., when first responders were called to Chase Island Road for reports of someone yelling for help.

New Hampshire State Police said based on a preliminary investigation, marine patrol officers believe the woman fell through the ice and likely drowned. She has not yet been found, with the search suspended late Saturday night.

The woman’s family is expected to meet with police Sunday morning. The woman’s name has not been released.

State police are urging people to be careful with frozen bodies of water, reminding everyone that all ice is potentially dangerous.

There should be a minimum of 6 inches of hard ice before someone sets foot onto it. And even if it’s thick, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s strong.

There are safety tips to follow during ice-related activities.

“Don’t ever go alone. Always have a phone with you. Don’t ever go alone and if you do happen to fall in, there are methods to try and get yourself out, keep your elbows on the ice and just kick with your feet and do your best to get back up on that ice, and when you’re on the ice, don’t stand up, roll your way back to shore,” explained Chief Thomas Cahill of the Cambridge Fire Department.

Outdoor skating conditions are expected to be ideal this weekend, but that’s not an excuse to be reckless.

Anyone with additional information that may assist the ongoing investigation is asked to contact Marine Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Haroutunian at 603-227-2112 or Nicholas.M.Haroutunian@DOS.NH.GOV.

Thomas M. “Tom” Estona

OBITUARY

Merrimack, NH

Thomas M. ‘Tom’ Estona, 75, died peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Community Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He is the beloved husband of Elizabeth A. ‘Beth’ (Cronan) Estona with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.

Tom was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on September 15, 1949, and was the son of the late Martin and Eunice (Tillotson) Estona. He received his education in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and was a graduate of Peterborough High School.

Tom worked as a truck driver, purchasing agent and most recently was employed as a branch manager for Kamco Supply in Woburn until his retirement.

In his free time, Tom was an avid fisherman, fishing fresh water throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire and ocean fishing at both York Beach, Maine, and the Florida Keys. He enjoyed playing golf, gardening and was a loyal New England Patriots Fan. He cherished time spent with his family at their peaceful lake house in Merrimack, as well as his retirement years in Barefoot Bay, Florida, with his wife, Beth. Recently, Tom found pleasure in learning to paint pictures depicting nature. Sipping on a single malt scotch and dining on his favorite Chinese food were some of the simplest aspects of life Tom loved. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.

In addition to his wife, Beth, of Merrimack, he is survived by his daughter Karen and her partner Doug; his son Jeff Godwin and his wife Angela; and his grandsons, Connor and Parker Godwin. He is also survived by his two sisters, Gwenne Hume and Marcia Lee and her husband Ken, as well as his niece Marcie Hume, and his brother-in-law Don Cronan and his family.

A private family gathering to celebrate Tom’s life is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH, 03054. Arrangements entrusted to the care of ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua, NH. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ANCTIL-ROCHETTE.com.

PELHAM, N.H. — A 26-year-old Methuen woman sustained serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Friday morning and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.

The Pelham Police said Nicole Lugo was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.

The crash occurred on Main Street and was reported to emergency crews at about 9:50 a.m. When police arrived on scene, they said they found a gray Honda Civic “embedded in a utility pole.”

Police said an investigation revealed that the Civic had veered off the road and collided head-on with the pole.

Lugo was airlifted to a nearby hospital.

The road remained closed for more than four hours while utility crews worked to replace the damaged utility pole.

Police are investigating the crash. They urged any witnesses to contact Cpl. James Locke at jlocke@pelhampolice.com or 603-635-2411.

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