HUNTER, NY — A 15-year-old boy drowned at the base of waterfalls at Fawn’s Leap on April 18, according to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:57 a.m. when the teen was swimming with a group of friends, all from Brooklyn.
Investigation at the scene revealed that the victim had jumped off the lower ledge near the base of the falls.
The hydraulic current caused by the waterfall was too strong for him to swim out.
All three of his friends entered the water in an attempt to pull him out, but they were unable to reach him as they started to get pulled under as well.
The first responding New York State Forest Ranger was able to get to the victim and pull him to shore.
By that time he had been in the water for over 20 minutes.
Greene County Paramedics and Hunter Ambulance personnel commenced life saving measures and the victim was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Resuscitative efforts were exhausted and the victim was pronounced deceased.
An autopsy was scheduled for April 20.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Town of Hunter Police, New York State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, Haines Falls Fire Department, Greene County Paramedics, Hunter Area Ambulance and Tannersville Fire Department.
The roadway was closed for approximately an hour during rescue and recovery efforts.
