GENESEO/LEICESTER: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the rescue of two people out of the Genesee River.
On July 8, 2018 at approximately 12:29 p.m., the Livingston County Emergency Communications Center (E-911) received a call for a father and daughter in the Genesee River, unable to get out due to the water current.
Deputies were immediately dispatched to the area of 3257 Cuylerville Road, along with fire and EMS. Emergency personnel were able to navigate farm trails, wooded areas, and corn fields to get to the area of where the two were trapped. The victims were not able to be immediately located but through a search were found to be approximately twelve hundred (1200) feet north of the bridge, hanging onto a limb on the bank of the river, unable to make it out.
After visual contact was made with the two, Deputy Sheriff Michael Phillips and DEC Officer Chris Ward entered the water and were able to throw a rescue rope to the individuals and successfully get them to shore.
The investigation revealed that 50-year-old Ronald Beck and his 29-year-old daughter, Amanda Beck, both of West Henrietta, NY, were hiking in the Fallbrook area near a stream when Amanda lost her shoes in an area where the stream meets the river. When Amanda tried to retrieve her shoes, the current pulled her into the river. Ronald attempted to help her back to the shore but the strong current pulled them down the river until they were able to grab the limb, call 911 and wait for help before being pulled to safety.
Ronald and Amanda were checked by EMS on the scene precautionary but were not injured in the incident.
In addition to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office on scene were the Leicester Fire Department, Cuylerville Fire Department, Geneseo Fire Department, Livingston County EMS, DEC Police, and the Park Police.
