WALDEN – A man jumped to his death from a bridge over the Wallkill River in Walden Friday morning.
His body was located and recovered from the river at just south of the Ulster County line.
Just before 10 a.m., Walden Police were notified of an unoccupied vehicle parked on the Lower Bridge at Oak Street. Officers found footprints in the snow on the sidewalk near the driver’s side of the car and near the edge of the bridge by the railing.
Chief William Herlihy said the water was deeper than usual because of the recent rains and snow and the current was swift.
Area businesses were checked to see if the owner of the vehicle was inside. No one was located.
Area fire departments were asked to search the river banks for a possible victim and at about 10:47, a state trooper spotted the body floating in the water.
Members of the Wallkill Fire Department advanced forward of the reported sighting and began a water rescue operation.
A body was recovered from the river and identified as the owner of the unoccupied vehicle.
Chief Herlihy said there is no indication of foul play and classified the death as a suicide.
The victim’s relatives were notified; however, police did not release his name.
Assisting Walden Police were Village and Town of Montgomery Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Walden ands Wallkill fire departments, Town of Montgomery Ambulance and the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.
