Body of Missing Fisherman Recovered in New York River

A fisherman who went missing last Thursday after falling into a river has been found.

Last week we told you about how authorities in upstate New York were searching for a 31-year-old fisherman who went missing after he fell into the Mohawk River attempting to retrieve his fishing pole.

Police said that the fisherman's line got snagged on something in the water causing his fishing pole to fall into the river. The man then reportedly went into the river to try and retrieve his pole and couldn't get back out.

New York Fisherman Found

Sadly, after a five-day search, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they have found the body of the missing fisherman who fell into the Mohawk River last Thursday morning according to News 10.

The body of 31-year-old Nicholas Williams, from Gloversville, New York was recovered after an extensive search involving over twelve area agencies including the Montgomery, Fulton, and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Offices, New York State Police, Fire and Forest Rangers, as well as Fort Hunter, Tribes Hill and the Town of Florida Fire Departments.

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Soon after Williams was reported missing after falling into the river Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery Smith told News 10 that a witness did attempt to save him by throwing him a life preserver. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to grab it.

Smith also said that due to the river's "washing-machine-like" currents, it would have been almost impossible for a civilian to save him, especially without a life vest.

"The hardest part is you want to jump in and save someone else but you’re certainly putting yourself in danger. You have to take care of yourself first and foremost and get emergency responders on the way and then try to help that person."

 

Nicholas Williams

Williams was found near Pepper Island after he fell in the area of Lock 12 on the Mohawk River. Sheriff Smith passed along his condolences saying, "Our thoughts are with Mr. Williams’s family. We hope they find some comfort in knowing that Nicholas has been found."