Body of missing man found at Bash Bish Falls

MOUNT WASHINGTON, Mass — The body of a Ghent man who went missing Friday night at Bash Bish Falls has been found and identified, according to sources at the scene and the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.

21-year-old Aiden Campion-Pratt is believed to have slipped off a rock and into the water below around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. At approximately 8:15 p.m. New York authorities responded to reports of a missing swimmer at the popular attraction located in Taconic State Park.

After hours of searching, it was concluded that the man must be on the Massachusetts side of the falls and the investigation was handed over to Bay State Authorities at approximately 11:30 p.m. Friday.

The search continued throughout the weekend, and with the help of an underwater camera, Campion-Pratt’s body was located around 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. However, Rescuers were unable to retrieve Campion-Pratt due to its location.

“Obviously everyone involved is heartsick in the ultimate outcome,” Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless said in a statement. “These were great efforts, under difficult and dangerous conditions, that should be recognized, and I want to extend my personal thanks to the many agencies that worked together tirelessly. Special thanks goes to the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation personnel, the office of Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett and Berkshire County Sheriff Tomas Bowler for their leadership and determined efforts. So many agencies came together to work to one end that unfortunately could not happen.”

Members of the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team along with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Columbia County, New York Sheriff’s Department, the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office , the Pittsfield Fire Department, the Egremont Fire Department, the Southern Berkshire Ambulance squad, state troopers assigned to the Lee barracks, the New York State Police, the Copake, New York Fire Department, the Columbia County, New York Fire Coordinator, the Berkshire County Fire Coordinator and Fastracs Excavating of Red Hook, New York contributed to the rescue efforts.