Stephen Rathburn, 64, of Salina, is pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center after being pulled from water this evening.
Baldwinsville Police Lt. T.J. LeRoy (left) and Chief of Police Michael W. Lefancheck investigate an area along the Seneca River in Baldwinsville where Stephen Rathburn, 64, of Salina, was found dead Saturday night. Baldwinsville, NY -- A 64-year-old man died while swimming tonight behind his boat on the Seneca River in Baldwinsville, police said.
Stephen Rathburn, of 124 Sunrise Terrace, Salina, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center shortly before 9 p.m., said Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefancheck. The cause of his death is still under investigation.
Rathburn was unconscious when he was rushed by ambulance to St. Joseph's after the 7:36 p.m. incident, Lefancheck said.
People on a nearby boat saw Rathburn in the river with his head underwater and his arm on the surface, Lefancheck said. At first, they thought he was just relaxing, but knew something was wrong when he didn't move for 30 seconds, the chief said.
The victim had gone swimming when he lost consciousness.
The nearby boaters pulled Rathburn out of the water. Lefancheck, who was nearby, rushed to the scene with another officer, who began CPR on Rathburn.
The accident happened on the south shore along the riverside park. On Paper Mill Island, a band played and Fourth of July festivities filled the air.
Thousands descended upon downtown Baldwinsville for the celebration. The victim was pulled from the water along the wall where boats lined up for the party.
Police tape marked off the location as Baldwinsville Police, Onondaga County Sheriff's deputies and state police investigated the accident.
Around the tape, the people went on celebrating, apparently unaware of what had happened.