POUGHKEEPSIE – Emergency services personnel searched the Hudson River off Poughkeepsie late Monday afternoon after police received a report of a swimmer in distress near where the Fallkill Creek drains into the river.
Several witnesses told responding police officers that the man swam out about 40 to 50 feet from the shore and appeared to be having difficulty returning to shore. The swimmer went under water approximately 25 feet from the shore behind the pavilion at the Poughkeepsie Children’s Museum.
Police Captain Richard Wilson said that his department requested the assistance of Poughkeepsie firefighters and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, and boats from both agencies.
The State Police arrived over the scene in a helicopter to search for the swimmer from the air, between the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Walkway Over the Hudson.
The Ulster Hose Company arrived with a dive team to assist in the search. “We’ll continue our search the best we can,” said Wilson, who noted that the efforts would last until the rescuers ran out of daylight.
According to one witness, the swimmer had been with other people onshore before entering the river. When the swimmer had difficulties, the other individuals left the scene.
