A mechanical test on Canandaigua Lake turned into a water rescue Thursday afternoon when a boat carrying three men capsized, prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies.
The man stranded in the water was Sam Brown, 25, who clung to the overturned hull about 200 yards from shore before a boat from Canandaigua Boatworks reached him. Brown was taken to FF Thompson Hospital for possible hypothermia.
The other two men on board, Zachary Nelson, 25, and Brandon McDonald, 23, managed to swim safely to shore. All three were employees of Canandaigua Boatworks and had been testing the boat following recent mechanical repairs.
According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, the men told investigators they struck what they believed was a submerged log, causing the boat to begin capsizing.
The Ontario County Marine Unit, a Canandaigua Fire Department boat, and the Department of Environmental Conservation responded to the scene. The Cheshire Fire Department was dispatched but was called off before arriving.
The quick response by nearby boaters and local emergency crews helped prevent a more serious outcome. The other two men were reported to be in good condition.
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