Elderly Hudson Valley Man Drowns in Ulster County

An elderly Hudson Valley man drowned Tuesday while trying to retrieve his boat.

Saugerties Police responded to a reported drowning at the Village of Saugerties Beach around 1 P.M. Tuesday. Upon arrival the victim had already been removed from the water by witnesses.

Harold C. Bauser, 83, of Saugerties and a friend intended to go fishing. As they placed their boat in the water, from a boat ramp, the vessel began to drift away, police say.

Bauser entered the water in an attempt to catch his floating boat. At that time he became on unconscious, witnesses told authorities.

Witnesses called on others to help, and one entered the water in attempt to rescue the 83-year-old as he was floating 400 feet from shore in about 15 feet of water.

Bauser was brought to shore and the unidentified Good Samaritan began resuscitation efforts. Police soon arrived on the scene and assisted.

Paramedics from DIAZ Ambulance arrived and initiated advance life support efforts. Although they were able to reestablish a pulse while in transit to the Health Alliance Hospital Broadway Campus Kingston, Bauser was pronounced dead in the hospital’s emergency room at 2:50 P.M.

The Saugerties Police Department received assistance at the scene from members of both the Village of Saugerties Fire Department and the Glasco Fire Department.