Search continues for gorge fall victim

Divers expand efforts from Poestenkill into Hudson River

TROY, N.Y.>> For the past week, members of the New York State Police Dive Team have been searching the waters of the Poestenkill and the Hudson River for a man who witnesses say fell from the rocks of the Poestenkill Gorge two weeks ago.

“They’ve dove into the Poestenkill, and they continue their search efforts, and I believe they will be continuing those efforts next week,” Troy Assistant Fire Chief Eric McMahon said Friday morning.

Officials said they received reports late in the afternoon of Feb. 25 that the unidentified man fell from the gorge in the area of The Cookie Factory and into the water, possibly striking his head on the rocks as he fell. Officials have said they believe those witness statements are credible.

State police divers were unable to join the search for several days because the water was too turbulent due to weather conditions. The search was initially limited to police and firefighters walking the shores of the Poestenkill.

Fire officials recently confirmed a missing person report has been filed, but police and fire officials are not releasing any additional information yet.

“I personally don’t even know the kid’s name myself, yet,” said McMahon.

Such tragedies are not uncommon in the gorge, which is a popular area not only for swimming, but also for climbing the rocks of the gorge or diving from its cliffs, despite “No Trespassing” signs posted throughout the area. Officials admitted such incidents usually occur during the summer months, with the most recent coming when 16-yearold Connor Reynolds fell from the gorge and into the water in June 2016, but this latest incident occurred on a Saturday when the area saw record-high temperatures.