20-Year-Old Poughkeepsie Man Drowns In Wappinger Creek

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — A possible drowning in the Wappinger Creek is under investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said deputies, along with the New Hackensack Fire Department and Town of Wappinger Ambulance, were sent around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday to the Wappinger Creek behind the Wappingers Falls Trailer Park on New Hackensack Road.

First responders used a civilian's rowboat to begin searching for a missing male swimmer.

Around 7:30 p.m., the missing man was found, and emergency life-saving techniques were started.

The man was taken by ambulance to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital where he was declared dead.

Authorities said the man was a 20-year-old resident of the town of Poughkeepsie.

The sheriff's office said it was important for people to use extreme caution whenever swimming in a river, lake, stream, creek or other natural water environments. Fast-moving currents, waves and rapids are extremely dangerous.

There are other dangers such as waterfalls, dams, underwater obstacles, rocks and debris that also pose a threat. Those are hazardous areas that must always be avoided.

Additionally, anyone swimming in a natural water environment should always wear a personal floatation device.

Other resources that responded to the scene included swift-water rescue teams from the Arlington and LaGrange fire departments, the New Hamburg Fire Department boat and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol, Underwater Search and Recovery Team and Detective Bureau. The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response and New York State Police also assisted at the scene.

SEE ALSO:

• Body Of Sullivan Man, Missing Since Sunday, Found In Lake
• 2 Drownings In Hudson Valley

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