70°
CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- Five men were plucked from the Croton River Sunday after their rubber boat capsized around 5:45 p.m. Police have not released the identities of the men involved.
Croton, county and other area first-responders rescued three of the men immediately, Westchester County Police Commissioner George Longworth said. A fourth was later found and taken to a hospital. There has been no word on his condition.
The fifth man was found clinging to a tree about a mile and a half from the Croton Harmon Train Station. Longworth said he clung to the tree for about two hours before he finally let go. Rescuers had located the man, but were unable to get him while he was in the tree.
"It thankfully worked out," Longworth said.
The river was "extremely high and fast" when the boaters fell, he said.
The water, which was traveling about 40 mph, also caused trouble for Croton firefighters. The firefighters put their boat into the water from the dock near the train station, but it quickly capsized near the dock.
Croton police, who were following behind the firefighters, had to pull out the firefighters before they could rescue the boaters.
Rescuers set up a make-shift command center near the dock while trying to figure out how to rescue the fifth man.
County Executive Rob Astorino traveled to the scene as well. Astorino later thanked the first-responders and New York City, who lent a helicopter.
This was a rescue "where everything came together," Astorino said. "They were able to come together and save a life."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.
