PITTSFIELD – Police recovered the body of a 23-year-old New Berlin man Monday morning from Silver Lake in the Town of Pittsfield after he was reported missing in its waters Sunday.

The New York State Police have identified the apparent drowning victim as David B. Harshbarger of 3 Lake St., New Berlin.

Police said Mr. Harshbarger was fishing out on the lake with his girlfriend, 28-year-old Amey Suwarrow, in a “small flat bottom boat,” at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers said severe thunderstorms began sweeping into the area at that time and the couple attempted to return to shore.

“In an attempt to get back to shore quickly, Mr. Harshbarger began to row aggressively causing the boat to take on water and sink. He was unable to swim to shore and disappeared beneath the water,” said the troopers in a statement issued Monday afternoon.

“At some point the two occupants, without floatation devices, exited the boat and attempted to swim to shore” said State Police Senior Investigator Joseph Valentine.