Details of tragic Lincoln Pond drowning released

ELIZABETHTOWN | A nighttime boating adventure on Lincoln Pond ended in tragedy last month as more than a dozen local agencies are being credited for their involvement in rescuing two people and somberly recovering the body of another. On Tuesday, New York State Police released details of the May 15 incident at Lincoln Pond Campground. Authorities were alerted to the emergency at about 9:30 p.m. after receiving reports of multiple people in distress in the water. A preliminary investigation determined that Parsu R. Bhattarai, 33, of Liverpool; Chandra P. Bhattarai, 31, of Liverpool; and Ran Rai, 30, of Syracuse were boating on the pond when the tragedy unfolded. The investigation revealed that Parsu Bhattarai was operating a kayak ahead of Chandra Bhattarai and Rai, who were traveling behind in a canoe. Parsu reported hearing his friends calling for help and, upon turning around, observed that the canoe had overturned and both occupants were struggling in the water. Chandra Bhattarai was able to remain with the overturned canoe while Rai attempted to swim toward Parsu's kayak. Parsu attempted to assist Rai; however, the effort caused both men to become submerged. Parsu was ultimately able to swim safely to shore. Chandra Bhattarai was later rescued from the water and brought to shore, while Rai remained unaccounted for. Parsu Bhattarai and Chandra Bhattarai were transported to Elizabethtown Community Hospital for evaluation and treatment. Members of the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company and Horicon Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene with dive teams. Divers subsequently located Rai unresponsive in the water. The Essex County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced Rai deceased. On May 17, an autopsy was conducted in Glens Falls by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica and ruled Rai's cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. The death was ruled accidental. The New York State Police were assisted by the Essex County Sheriff's Department, Essex County Emergency Services, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, Moriah EMS, Elizabethtown-Lewis EMS, Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department, Westport Volunteer Fire Department, Horicon Volunteer Fire Department, Mineville-Witherbee Volunteer Fire Department, Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department, Moriah Volunteer Fire Department, and the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company.

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Details of tragic Lincoln Pond drowning released

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