Teenager dies while fishing
Matthew Billetts, 16, suffered a medical emergency, police say
A high school student died Monday afternoon while fishing along the shore of the Hudson River, city police said Tuesday.
Matthew Billetts, 16, an 11thgrader at Watervliet Juniorsenior High School, was at Hudson Shores Park at about 4:40 p.m. when he suffered a medical emergency on the dock, causing him to fall into the water, police said.
A Watervliet police officer and two Watervliet firefighters immediately entered the water to try to find him but were unsuccessful. Shortly afterward, State Police divers found him and attempted life-saving measures. He was pronounced dead at a hospital Monday evening.
Police said, “This tragic incident has impacted the entire Watervliet community, including the staff and students at Watervliet High School, where Matthew attended.”
The school held a public vigil in the teen’s honor Tuesday night at the football field that drew a large crowd.
“We offer our deepest sympathy to Matthew’s family and
friends and will continue to keep them in our thoughts and our hearts during this most difficult time,” district officials wrote in a message posted on the district’s Facebook page.
“Coping with the loss of a student, a friend, a classmate is one of the most difficult challenges we can face as a school community,” said Watervliet School Superintendent Don Stevens. “Our hearts are heavy
for Matt’s family and friends, as we join together as a community to support one another and mourn this devastating loss.”
The news release described Billetts as having a great sense of humor, a personality described as “always chill, easy to make friends with, compassionate, helpful and always smiling.”