Photos: Ulster Water-Rescue Team Called For Vehicle In Creek

A scary situation took place in Ulster County during the very early morning hours of Thanksgiving, Thursday November 28th. The Ulster County Sheriff's Office reports that a vehicle was sumberged in the Esopus Creek.

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Vehicle Submerged in Esopus Creek

The Ulster County Sheriff's Office reports receiving a report around 2:28am on Thursday November 28th of a vehicle submerged in the Esopus Creek in the Town of Marbletown.

Upon arriving on scene, near the Fording Place Road area of the Esopus Creek, deputies from the Sheriff's Office found that the occupants of the vehicle had safely escaped. The vehicle operator was on the shore, and confirmed that a second passenger, the vehicle's only other occupant, had also safely made it out.

The 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, at the time of the deputies response, was still in the creek, and scheduled to be removed on Friday, November 29th.

SEE ALSO: Vehicle Drives Through TD Bank Storefront in Wappingers

Investigation Determines Driver Tried to Take Shortcut, Car Submerged

The investigation that followed the Thanksgiving incident determined that the driver was traveling from Route 209 and decided to take a shortcut on Fording Place Road by 'crossing a shallow section of the creek' in order to reach Hurley Mountain Road. Police indicated that the vehicle's operator, whose identity has not been shared at this time, 'underestimated the water's depth and current. As a result, the vehicle was overtaken and submerged.

As scheduled, the Ulster County Sheriff's In-Water Rescue Team conducted their recovery operation on Friday, November 29th. Divers were able to secure tow straps and cable onto the Jeep, which was then pulled from the creek by Perry's Towing.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and the Ulster County Sheriff's Office reports that the vehicle operator may be at risk for charges for vehicle and traffic violations, in addition to potential environmental infractions. We will provide updates as they become available.