Niagara River vessel accident now 'recovery operation'

New York State Park Police Press Release

UPDATE: After an exhaustive search of the boat accident scene and adjacent navigable waters of the upper Niagara River, including the shoreline, the search efforts for the two missing boaters has transitioned to a recovery operation.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations has assumed the missing person’s case. The New York State Park Police Marine bureau will complete the boating accident investigation, including accident reconstruction by the division’s certified investigators. A multi-agency recovery effort led by Park Police and State Police will continue in a joint command manner.

The two missing boaters are believed to be 66-year-old Jerome Williams from Buffalo, and 46-year-old Natalie Sansivero of Grand Island.

••••••••

New York State Park Police Press Release

At approximately 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Niagara County 911 received a report of a vessel accident north of Navy Island on the upper Niagara River. The vessel reportedly had struck a concrete abutment, and its two occupants were missing. Multiple agencies responded with their marine assets to assist with the search and initial investigation, including the New York State Park Police, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Town of Tonawanda Police, City of Tonawanda Police, Grand Island Fire, and River Road Fire. Aviation assets from Erie and Niagara County Aviation also assisted in the search.

Search efforts were suspended at approximately 3 a.m. and were set to resume at daybreak.

The extensively damaged vessel has been recovered and towed by the State Park Police for further investigation and accident reconstruction. The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations also responded and is assisting in the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has information about the incident is asked to contact the State Park Police Niagara headquarters at 716-278-1777.