A weekend outing on the Schroon River turned tragic after a kayak capsized near Library Avenue in Warrensburg, leaving a 21-year-old Westchester County man missing and later found dead, authorities said.
State police said troopers first responded Sunday night to reports of an overturned kayak. Search teams worked into the early morning hours, then returned to the water on Monday and ultimately located the man around 5:55 p.m. His name has not been released, and investigators say the case remains under investigation.
Search Timeline and Official Update
According to a press release from the New York State Police, troopers were called to the Schroon River at about 8:04 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, for a report of an overturned kayak in the area of Library Avenue.
The release states that the kayak was occupied by a 21-year-old man from Yonkers. The Warren County Marine Rescue Team and the New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team joined the effort, searching into the early morning hours before operations were paused and then resumed on Monday.
Search crews ultimately found the man deceased in the water at about 5:55 p.m. on May 11, according to the same statement. State police said the investigation into what led up to the capsize is ongoing.
Local Response at the Scene
On Monday, the normally quiet stretch of river saw a heavy emergency response as dive and marine teams swept the area along the bank and in the current. Early coverage described a significant presence of first responders and noted that authorities urged residents to use caution while crews worked along the river, as reported by Daily Voice.
Boating Safety and Context
State data show that non-motorized paddle craft, such as kayaks and canoes, account for a meaningful share of fatal boating incidents. Lack of life-jacket use and cold-water immersion are leading factors in many of those cases, according to a recreational boating report from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The report urges paddlers to take a few basic precautions: always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device, file a float plan so someone knows where you are going and when you plan to return, and avoid alcohol while on the water.
What Officials Say Now
Authorities have not released the victim's identity. The New York State Police news release lists Troop G Public Information Officer Trooper Stephanie O'Neil as a contact and provides a phone number for the Troop G office. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call that number as the investigation continues.
