14-year-old drowns at swimming hole in Wawarsing

Despite the best efforts of first responders, a Charief M. Spratley, 14, was pronounced dead on Wednesday, July 16 after drowning at the Rock Dome swimming hole on the Rondout Creek in Wawarsing

At approximately 6:51pm, New York State Police from Ellenville responded to a 911 call about a possible drowning. The swimmer’s friends, who remained on the line until police arrived, said they tried to rescue the victim after he did not resurface but were unsuccessful.

Initial searches of the water by troopers came up empty, but Spratley’s unresponsive body was discovered and recovered after the Ulster Hose Company 5 Dive Team was deployed. First responders took life-saving measures before pronouncing the victim dead at the scene.

The investigation into the death is ongoing.