Detectives from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the drowning death of a 17-year-old male in High Falls.
Today at approximately 11:43 a.m., members of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of 18 Bruceville Road in the Town of Marbletown for a water emergency. Deputies were told by persons at the scene that the teenager had been underwater for several minutes. Deputies attempted to locate the swimmer before the arrival of the In-Water Rescue Team. Members of Ulster Hose and Deputies recovered the young man approximately 40 minutes after the original 911 call. He was transported to Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley, Broadway Campus. However, EMS and hospital medical personnel were unable to revive the victim. The victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The victim has been identified as Christopher Pelaez, 17, of Wallkill.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, Rosendale Police Department, Ulster Hose Fire Department Search and Rescue and High Falls Fire Department.
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