By Kaitlin Carney
MOHICAN LAKE — A Sullivan County waterway claimed another life on Thursday, August 11, raising the grim tally for the season.
Battalion No. 1 Coordinator Joe Mellan was on scene at Mohican Lake, where an emergency call originated at 4:25 p.m.
“It was reported that there was a group of friends on the lake on boats,and one young man jumped out in an attempt to swim to the shore. He began to struggle and went under. We had an excellent witness who was able to pinpoint his last location and we were able to make a recovery in about an hour,” Mellan said.
Crews from Lumberland, Highland Lake, Yulan Fire Police, Sullivan County Dive team, Sparrowbush and Port Jervis fire departments, along with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the recently all too familiar call.
“Each drowning is harder to deal with,” remarked Mellan, “I cannot stress too much the importance of life jackets.”
The victim was identified as 21 year-old James Chung of Floral Park, NY, who was visiting the area with a group of friends.