Possible drownings of three people in Sullivan County (video)

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White Lake rescue of three on Sunday (c) Mid-Hudson News

WHITE LAKE – Three individuals were taken to Garnet Health Medical Center following a tragic accident in White Lake in Bethel just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The status of the three remained unknown as of the evening.

A state trooper, who was among law enforcement officers, EMS, and fire department water operation responders on scene, said three individuals were retrieved from the water near the shoreline of White Lake. Lifesaving efforts were immediately begun and continued as all three were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

A next-door neighbor of a bed and breakfast that is located directly along the beach and dock area where this incident occurred said a female victim went under the water, close to shore. He said one man went in to try to save her but did not come up. Then a second man dove in. None resurfaced.

According to an online post by White Lake Fire Company, a Town of Bethel Constable’s boat was on the water at the time of this incident. A constable reported three subjects went under and never resurfaced. Responders with White Lake and Kauneonga Lake fire department arrived within minutes and immediately began a search. A visual of the subjects was quickly made, and White Lake Firefighter Andrew Liff dove in and retrieved one victim.

With help from other firefighters, they were able to get the victim to EMS on shore. CPR was immediately begun, according to a call for additional rescuers.

Several other attempts were made to retrieve the other two victims, as assistance was requested from Sullivan County’s Dive Task Force and Orange County’s Battalion 8 Water Rescue. Meanwhile, Firefighter Liff was able to equip himself with dive bottles and retrieved the last two victims, who were immediately delivered to EMS for medical help.

Both the next neighbor and the trooper described White Lake, which is situated alongside Kauneonga Lake, as shallow in spots, but very deep and cold in other spots. The neighbor said the water is very warm on top during this time of year, but extremely cold as it gets deeper and closer to the bottom.
“It’s spring fed. For people who are not familiar with the lake it may seem warm and calm, but underneath it isn’t,” he said.

(video: Mark Lieb, Rockland Video Productions)




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