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Home » News » Sheriff: Boaters lucky after drifting across Seneca Lake, capsizing on windy day

Sheriff: Boaters lucky after drifting across Seneca Lake, capsizing on windy day

A pair of boaters were nothing short of lucky after their boat capsized on a windy Seneca Lake Friday.

Sheriff Ron Spike says Brandon Barber, 21, of Hector called 911 shortly after 4 p.m. The engine on his boat would not start. The vessel then started taking on water near Long Point Road in Torrey.

A long list of first responders descended to assist the boater. Sheriff Spike describe the water as ‘pretty rough’. Among those responding included state police, DEC officer, members of the Himrod and Dresden fire departments, as well as a dive team from Branchport and Keuka Park. The Penn Yan Ambulance also responded as the Himrod Fire Department launched a boat.

By the time the boat fully capsized — the two people on-board were able to get to shore. “They were wearing personal flotation devices, thank goodness,” Spike told the Finger Lakes Times. “I’m not even sure they got very wet.”

He said the injuries they sustained were not serious, but pointed out that they were very luck to have not been seriously injured.



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