Man drowns at Frank Merry Park (9/9/03)

The body of an Albany man was found in a pond in Frank Merry Park in Niles Township, Delaware County, Monday afternoon.

Rodney Underwood, 44, was reported missing by his wife Sunday afternoon. He was discovered by divers in the pond, which has an estimated depth of seven feet.

Witnesses from a wedding reception at the park Saturday night told Delaware County police they saw Underwood swimming in the pond. Witnesses said they believed he had been drinking alcoholic beverages and had asked Underwood if he needed assistance. Allegedly, Underwood told them to leave him alone. He was not a guest at the reception.

The park, a few miles southwest of Dunkirk on Black Cemetery Road, was once owned by Indiana Glass Co., Dunkirk.

Underwood was an employee of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Portland.[[In-content Ad]]