POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie police responded to a report of a body floating in the Hudson River near the Grandview/Shadows area on Rinaldi Boulevard Friday around lunchtime. A Poughkeepsie Fire Department crew responded and launched their new Zodiac vessel with two firefighters to search from the rain-swollen river, guided by fire officials on the eastern shore.
After nearly 30 minutes of investigating the area, finding many floating trees and other debris, it was determined that it was a “good intent call”, meaning the caller reported what appeared to be a human body but in reality, it was a tree or other debris floating downriver.
Members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit told Mid-Hudson News that “good intent” calls are not uncommon in early spring and all reports are investigated by fire and law enforcement to ensure there is no human in distress.
“Our firefighters are frequently deployed to either rescue or recover people from the Hudson River,” said Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Joe Franco. “Our crews are well-trained for river rescues and we can respond rapidly so we can determine if the report is true or one of good intent.”
Floating debris in the Hudson River is not uncommon during this time of year and first responders are accustomed to responding to “good intent” calls for debris that is mistaken for a body.
