Emergency crews at the scene near the Red Mill Inn Monday
/ photo: Chris McGrath
BALDWINSVILLE -- A power plant employee is dead after falling into the Seneca River and getting trapped in a hydroelectric turbine.
Baldwinsville Police say 60-year-old John Stranburg of Allegany, New York fell into the turbine shortly after noon Monday. The turbine is at the Wave Hydro power plant, near the Red Mill Inn.
Police say Stranburg was one of the owners of the plant, and was performing maintenance on the turbine when he fell in. They say he was unable to fight the strong current and undertow and was pulled under the water. His body was recovered shortly before 4:00 p.m, and police say his family has been notified.
Emergency crews had been working Monday afternoon on a recovery effort, under the assumption that the victim was already dead. They say they had to take extra precautions because the underwater area has tight corners and is very dark. The turbine was still operational during the recovery, and reportedly could not be turned off. Police say the turbine braking system was an issue, and officials had to evaluate when they could put people into the water to search for the victim.
"It's very frustrating, to be frank with you," said Baldwinsville Deputy Fire Chief Tony McIntyre. "We like to have resolutions completed in minutes, not hours."
Officials say rescue crews had to lower the river's water level 6-12 inches to get equal pressure on the other side of the bridge in order to try to help the victim.
Earlier Monday afternoon, another man was pulled out of the river and taken to a local hospital. Officials have not identified whether that man was another worker or a member of the emergency crews at the scene. He is expected to recover.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.
