Valatie man drowns after diving into Stony Kill Creek

CHATHAM — A 19-year-old Valatie man drowned Sunday afternoon while swimming in Stony Kill Creek.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says they received 911 call around 4:45 p.m. after  Brett Cappelli dove into the water off River Road. He did not resurface.

An hour and 5 minutes later, divers pulled Cappelli’s body from the creek and pronounced him dead.

The 2016 Ichabod Crane High School graduate’s body was transported to St. Peter’s Hospital where an autopsy will be performed.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office along with Chatham Fire Department, Chatham Rescue Squad, Niverville Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team, Columbia County Fire Coordinators, Columbia County EMS Coordinator and the New York State Police assisted at the scene.