Fish Creek death likely a drowning

PHOTOGRAPHER: Patrick Dodson

A yellow tarp covers a body recovered from the shore of Saratoga Lake at Lee's Campground on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.

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Wednesday’s oppressive heat may have indirectly claimed a life near Saratoga Lake.

Authorities are investigating an apparent drowning that occurred in Fish Creek, next to the popular Lee’s Campground in the town of Saratoga, just off Route 9P at the mouth of the lake.

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo said a white male who appeared to be in his mid-40s was found face-down in the water near a rental dock area, and appeared to have been in the water only a short time.

Zurlo said later Wednesday that the victim had been tentatively identified, but would not release the name until the victim’s family has been notified.

The park manager had been alerted to a possible problem, and called 911 at 1:24 p.m., as soon as he saw the body floating near a docked pontoon boat.

At the scene, Zurlo said initial indications were that the victim was someone local who was visiting people at the campground. The shirtless man had no identification on him, the sheriff said.

“We’re trying to establish the circumstances,” he said. “It appears he was swimming, but that’s not confirmed.”

No foul play is suspected, Zurlo said.

Lee’s Campground is popular with young concert-goers, like those who attend Dave Matthews Band and Phish concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The campground was filled Wednesday with young people expected to attend a multigroup SPAC concert called the Mayhem Festival, but that didn’t appear tied to the death.

The National Weather Service reported that the air temperature Wednesday afternoon reached 91 degrees in Albany and 90 in Glens Falls. Throughout the Capital Region, many people remarked how oppressive the heat felt.

“It’s not just the temperature, but that the humidity is so high is makes it feel even hotter,” said Ingrid Amberger, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Albany.

Zurlo said swimming may be an appealing way to cool off, but people need to be careful.

“If you’re going to go swimming on a day like this, always have someone with you,” he said at the scene.

Saratoga Springs city police, the Quaker Springs Fire Department and General Schuyler Emergency Squad all responded to the scene, along with sheriff’s deputies.

Saratoga County Coroner Thomas Salvadore was also at the scene. Zurlo said an autopsy will take place today at Albany Medical Center.

The death, if confirmed as a drowning, would be Saratoga County’s second drowning in barely a month.

On June 13, 52-year-old Diane Henderson drowned after going rafting with family members on the Kayaderosseras Creek in Milton, in an incident authorities said was caused by high and rapid-flowing waters.