UPDATED: New York State Police at Binghamton said Friday that kayaker Dennis R. Healey, age 72 of Chenango Forks, drown Thursday as a result of a medical emergency. State Police responded to the area of Depot Street fishing access at the fork of the Chenango and Tioughnioga rivers at approximately 6:03 p.m. Thursday. An initial 911 report stated three kayakers were in distress. Troopers on scene learned that two kayakers were able to get out of the river on their own but one was unconscious after his kayak overturned.
A group of individuals was performing CPR on Healey on the north shore when a trooper and a sheriff’s deputy crossed the river to assist Healey. The trooper and deputy entered the water with their throw bags and a kayak and were able to bring the victim to the south shore line where CPR continued. Broome County ambulance arrived but Healey was subsequently pronounced dead.
An investigation revealed that Healey was kayaking with a group of people that launched at the Chenango Bridge area. Witnesses observed Healey capsize and became entangled in debris. An autopsy revealed that Healey likely suffered a cardiac medical emergency.
