Two teens rescued in Catskill Creek

CATSKILL, N.Y. >> Two teens needed to be rescued after they became stranded in the middle of Catskill Creek, state police said Monday.

State police said they responded at approximately 7:15 p.m. Friday to a report of two teens unable to make it up a trail to the Route 23 overpass of the creek. Upon arriving, troopers discovered that two teens, one 14 and the other 15, were stranded in the middle of the creek clinging to a rock ledge at the edge of an approximately 15-foot waterfall.

State police said they requested assistance from the Leeds Fire Department and Greene County paramedics. Emergency personnel were able to deploy a lifeline across the water in the teens’ vicinity. The 14-year-old was able to grab the line and was guided to the shoreline uninjured. The 15-yearold then attempted to follow, but lost his grip on the line and was swept over the falls into a pool of water below, becoming completely submerged.

As he was being carried downstream, a secondary lifeline was deployed, which the youngster was able to grab, according to

authorities. As rescuers were pulling him toward shore, he again lost his grip on the line, they added.

A medic was able to enter the water in a shallower spot downstream and secure the victim until a third line was deployed and used to get the medic and teen out of the water.

The 15-year-old was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia and minor injuries, state police said, adding that both teens were from Catskill.