The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the investigation into a missing person on the Hudson River, as well as a crash between a Metro-North train and Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle during the subsequent search.

On Tuesday 9/22/20 at approximately 7 pm the Sheriff’s Office was notified by family members of Andrew Tyler Neckles, age 26, that he had not returned from boating on the Hudson River on Sunday 9/20/20. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit responded to the scene to conduct a search of the river, along with patrol units for a ground search of the shore, however, Mr. Neckles was not located at that time. The search, which focused on the area of the river near the Town of Wappinger, ended at approximately 12 am and resumed again during the morning of 9/23/20.

While conducting the initial search on land on 9/22/20 there came a time when a patrol Deputy needed to get close to the railroad tracks in order to assist in searching a specific area. While there the Deputy inadvertently placed his vehicle too close to the tracks, at which time it was sideswiped by a passing northbound Metro-North train. Neither the Deputy nor the train passengers were injured during the crash, which is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Metro-North Police.

Shortly after the search resumed during the daylight/morning hours of 9/23/20 the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol located a boat and deceased male fitting Mr. Neckles’ description close to the western shore of the Hudson River. At this time the scene is active and still under investigation, and the male has tentatively been identified as Mr. Neckles. The Dutchess County Medical Examiner will make the final determination on the cause of death and officially confirm the identity.

The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the United States Coast Guard and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is continuing by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and more information may be provided as it becomes available.