Yonkers man dies, woman hospitalized after rowboat capsizes

NEW CASTLE – A 53-year-old Yonkers man died and his 53-year-old female companion was hospitalized when a rowboat capsized early Sunday at the New Croton Reservoir.

The cause is under investigation by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which operates the reservoir system for the city, a DEP spokesman said. The reservoir provides drinking water to the five boroughs, and is also a popular fishing spot.

The identities of the man and woman are being withheld pending notification of family, DEP spokesman Adam Bosch said Sunday. He didn't know the relationship between the pair.

Investigators estimated the rowboat capsized between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., Bosch said. Investigators have not determined why it happened, or confirmed if they were fishing. Life vests were on board, but not being worn, he said.

"Both were thrown into the water," Bosch said.

Bosch said the woman — who was conscious — was taken to the Northern Westchester Hospital. He didn't know how long the pair was in the water before rescuers arrived, but said the woman was assisted to shore by another boat.

Boating on the reservoir is permitted for fishing, and the pair was using an authorized boat, Bosch said. Anglers are common during predawn hours at the reservoir, located about 22 miles from New York City.

The New Croton Reservoir — part of the city's Croton Watershed — empties into the Hudson River. The 2,182-acre reservoir is home to various species of fish, including large-mouth bass, small-mouth bass, chain pickerel, common carp, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullheads and sunfish.

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