On Friday, February 25, at approximately 9:56 a.m., the Village of Walden Police Department was notified of an unoccupied vehicle parked on the Lower Bridge (Oak Street) in the Village of Walden. 

Upon arrival officers observed footprints on the sidewalk (passenger side of the parked vehicle) near the edge / railing of the bridge. The water below was at a deeper than the normal depth due to recent rain and snow and was moving at a swift current. 

Officers on scene immediately began to search the surrounding businesses to attempt to locate anyone matching the registration of the vehicle. In addition, surrounding fire departments were alerted and asked to search the banks of the river for any signs of distress. At approximately 10:47 a.m., a member of the New York State Police advised he saw a body floating in the river, just south of the Ulster County line. 

Members of the Wallkill Fire Department advanced forward of the reported victim location and began a water rescue operation. A body was recovered from the water and later identified as the owner of the unoccupied vehicle. At this time, there is no indication of foul play and there is no threat to the community. The victim's next of kin has been notified. 

The Village of Walden Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance:

New York State Police

Town of Montgomery Police Department

Village of Montgomery Police Department

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Walden Fire Department

Wallkill Fire Department

Town of Montgomery Ambulance 

Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office