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One person has died and another remains at Upstate University Hospital after a swimming incident at Taughannock Falls in the Town of Ulysses.
Around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, New York State Police responded to assist Park Police for a reported drowning that occurred at the base of the falls. Troopers from the SP Ithaca, members from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Underwater Recovery Team responded to the site.
New York State Police’s Underwater Recovery Team eventually located a 26-year old male deceased in the water. A 19-year old was transported via LifeNet helicopter to Upstate University Hospital for hypothermia and water ingestion. He is currently listed in stable condition.
The investigation conducted by Troopers found that four males, all from the Syracuse area and between the ages 16 to 26, had entered a “No Swimming” area at the base of the falls. Once they entered the, they had trouble staying above the water. Troopers identified the deceased as 26-year old Leo M. Nolasco-Cruz, who reportedly slipped beneath the surface and did not reappear.
Additional assistance at the scene was the Trumansburg Fire Department, Trumansburg Ambulance, Tompkins County Sheriff, and the Tompkins County Fire Coordinator.
