Community Corner
Rockland Man Who Drowned In Harriman State Park's Turkey Hill Pond ID'd By Authorities
The 22-year-old went into the water to cool off after a hike, but quickly went below the waterline and didn't resurface.
TOWN OF HIGHLANDS, NY — Authorities have identified the young Spring Valley man who drowned at a state park over the weekend.
New York State Police say that on Saturday, around 11:47 a.m., troopers from Monroe responded to Turkey Hill Pond, in Harriman State Park in the town of Highlands, after receiving a report of a possible drowning.
Investigators say 22-year-old Darwin J. Chuiza-Tagua had gone hiking with a friend in the park. After the hike, he went into Turkey Hill Pond to cool off.
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State police say that around 11:35 a.m., Chuiza-Tagua entered the water and was walking away from the shore, when he quickly went below the waterline and did not resurface.
Search efforts began with assistance from the New York State Police Aviation Unit and the Underwater Recovery Team. New York State Police were assisted by New York State Park Police.
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Chuiza-Tagua was found dead around 20 feet from the shore in 10 feet of water. Police say the drowning seems to be accidental, with no signs of foul play.
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