Fishermen and Troopers conduct a water rescue

PRESS RELEASE

 

At 6:58 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017, Troopers from SP Roscoe responded to a 911 poll for a water rescue at Junction Pool.   Junction pool is a popular fishing area at the confluence of the Willowemoc and Beaverkill rivers in Roscoe, NY.   Sergeant/Station Commander Michael Schroeder and Trooper Andrew Digsby arrived at the river to find that a 21 year old had been brought to shore by witnesses.  The man was blue, unresponsive and not breathing.  The Troopers and Roscoe Fire Chief Keith Travers pulled him further onto land and rolled him over before starting rescue breathing and/or CPR efforts.  The victim started expelling large amounts of water and started labored, sporadic breathing on his own.  Roscoe/Rockland volunteer ambulance squad transported him to Catskill Regional Medical Center where he finally regained consciousness.  He was treated for water inhalation and hypothermia.

Investigation at the scene discovered that the 21 year old was a member of a fishing club from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY and was fishing with three other students.  William and Lori Fenner of Emerson, NJ, were also fishing the pool and saw the young man go under and described that the man was casting the Beaverkill when he fell into the water and his hip waders filled with water.  The Fenners alerted other fishermen as the unconscious victim floated face down into Junction pool. As everyone present was also wearing waders, they had to wait for the current to bring him around to shallower water before a rescue could be attempted in the forty-five degree water.  Once downstream far enough, the victim was caught in the rapids and brought towards shore.  However, no one on shore knew or attempted CPR until the Troopers and fire chief arrived.  The victim is expected to make a full recovery.