Body of SUNY New Paltz Student Found Near Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

A body has been found near the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in New Paltz Monday morning, but authorities don't suspect foul play.

Police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old SUNY New Paltz student who was found in a wooded area near the rail trail, the New Paltz Police Department said in a press release.

Police responded to a section of the rail trail near Plains Road around 7:45AM after receiving a 911 call. A pair of people on a morning walk along the Wallkill Valley Rail saw a body on the ground and placed the call, according to the press release. The man appeared to have been dead for several hours.

The investigation continues, and according to New Paltz Chief of Police Joseph Snyder, the death not considered suspicious.

"The investigation does not indicate any safety concerns for the community," Snyder said.

The New Paltz Police Department were assisted at the scene by the SUNY New Paltz Police, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police and the New Paltz Rescue Squad.

The name of the victim has not been released pending family notification.

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail consists of 22 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, joggers, bicyclists and more. The winter months find a lot of showshoers and cross country skiers on the trails.

This portion of the Hudson Valley's trail system begins in Wallkill and ends in Kingston. There is currently a fundraising campaign called "Bridges to Everywhere" underway, which aims to "market the rail trail and it's connections to nature, community and history."