WOODBOURNE - New York State Police along with members of the Fallsburg Police Department responded to the area of the bridge crossing near Old Falls Road in the Neversink River in the Town of Fallsburg for a report of a drowning on Saturday, July 24 at 4 p.m.

According to State Police, initial investigation revealed that Rene Flores, age 46, from the Town of Fallsburg, jumped from a rock ledge into the river and began to struggle to swim.

Flores was able to make it to a rock but was unable to pull himself up due to the steepness of the rock and the current. A friend of his jumped in and attempted to assist him but lost sight of Flores as he was swept underwater by the current.

Flores’ body was found at 6 p.m. and recovered by the Sullivan County Dive Team.

The Town of Fallsburg issued a statement on its Facebook page: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the drowning victim and implore our neighbors, again, not to swim in Old Falls. It is dangerous...It is prohibited...and yesterday, it was tragic. Also, a very special thank you to the First Responders, Firefighters, Police Agencies and volunteers that responded...placing themselves in danger to try and save the victim.”