Man dies wading to shore in Cayuga Lake

Sheriff David Gould reports that the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 69 year old male from the Southern Tier which occurred in the Springport Cove area of Cayuga Lake at 4:30pm this afternoon.The victim had been on a pontoon boat with three acquaintances and told the acquaintances he was going to wade in to shore. The boat was anchored in waist deep water. Approximately 15 minutes later a person on another boat anchored in the same cove noticed the man floating face down, unresponsive in the water. The victim was brought to shore by other boaters and one of his acquaintances and 911 was called.The victim was transported to Auburn Community Hospital however was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead at 6:05pm. It is unknown at this time whether the victim drowned or whether he suffered a fatal medical condition. The investigation is continuing and the victim’s name is being withheld at this time. The body will be turned over the Onondaga County Medical Examiner for autopsy. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police. The following EMS providers responded: Union Springs Fire Department, Union Springs Ambulance, Rural Metro and Cayuga Fire.