Rifton, NY man recovered from the Wallkill River
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Pierce V. Gallagher
Troop F Commander
PRESS RELEASE
On April 13, 2018, State Police at Highland recovered David A Vena, 49 of Rifton NY from the Wallkill River.
A State Police investigation into his death revealed that on February 13, 2018, David Vena was attempting to cross the Wallkill River from a small Island in the center of the river in Rifton utilizing a Kayak and rope when he entered the water. The Kayak and personal items were recovered at the scene but attempts to locate David Vena by divers were negative. Since that date, the Troop F Underwater Recovery Team and State Police Aviation have conducted numerous searches for David Vena.
Today at approximately 9:15 am Troop F URT recovered David Vena during a search of the river.
State Police were assisted in the search by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Rosendale Police Department, Rifton Fire Department, Ulster Hose Fire Company, Ulster County Emergency Management and Central Hudson Gas & Electric.