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Amsterdam, N.Y. —
The body of a 19-year-old Amsterdam man who apparently drowned in the Mohawk River was recovered Wednesday morning.
Authorities said Eduardo Figueroa went into the water because he thought his younger brother was struggling during a swim near Lock 11 in Amsterdam just before 4 p.m. Tuesday. Another swimmer tried to help when Figueroa appeared to tire and slipped under the water, police said.
An initial search was hampered by strong thunderstorms. Figueroa’s body was found approximately halfway across the river channel in about 20 feet of water after 11 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Authorities said dive teams from the Amsterdam Fire and Police departments, the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the state police and the Vermont State Police searched the waters beginning at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said a total of 33 divers took part in the search, as well as air boats from the state police, the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.
Witnesses told police Figueroa was swimming with family and friends when his 13-year-old brother swam toward Bronson Island, which is approximately 200 yards from shore, and Figueroa jumped in to help him. The 13-year-old and another youth made it to the island, but Figueroa did not, police said.
Police said they received a 911 call at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and that a rescue boat was launched immediately. The rescue efforts were hindered by heavy rain and winds, police said, adding thunder and lightning forced responders to call off the search at about 6 p.m. Tuesday.
An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
The body of a 19-year-old Amsterdam man who apparently drowned in the Mohawk River was recovered Wednesday morning.
Authorities said Eduardo Figueroa went into the water because he thought his younger brother was struggling during a swim near Lock 11 in Amsterdam just before 4 p.m. Tuesday. Another swimmer tried to help when Figueroa appeared to tire and slipped under the water, police said.
An initial search was hampered by strong thunderstorms. Figueroa’s body was found approximately halfway across the river channel in about 20 feet of water after 11 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Authorities said dive teams from the Amsterdam Fire and Police departments, the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the state police and the Vermont State Police searched the waters beginning at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said a total of 33 divers took part in the search, as well as air boats from the state police, the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.
Witnesses told police Figueroa was swimming with family and friends when his 13-year-old brother swam toward Bronson Island, which is approximately 200 yards from shore, and Figueroa jumped in to help him. The 13-year-old and another youth made it to the island, but Figueroa did not, police said.
Police said they received a 911 call at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and that a rescue boat was launched immediately. The rescue efforts were hindered by heavy rain and winds, police said, adding thunder and lightning forced responders to call off the search at about 6 p.m. Tuesday.
An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
