Newark man describes attempts made to save teen in Erie Canal

NEWARK NY (WROC) – Newark resident Jacob Storrs was driving by the Erie Canal bridge in Newark after grabbing a bite to eat with his father Monday evening. That's when he says they noticed a teen falling into the Canal and his fight or flight instincts kicked in.

“We heard a splash. We thought they were just jumping in like diving. We were like let's just turn back around. We got there, got out the car. Some lady was on the phone. His friend was there. So, we saw bubbles and I just jumped in,” said Storrs.

Storrs says he was swimming for about ten minutes trying to find the teen.

“I was getting out of breath, swimming, looking. It was so hard to see anything underneath because it was so muddy and stuff,” he said.

It took first responders about an hour to find 17-year-old Wilson Augustave who was pronounced dead at the scene. After word got out about the teen's passing, classmates arranged a balloon release in Augustave's honor.

Storrs says the teen's mom invited him. When he met Augustave's parents they thanked him for trying to save their son.

“He was loved, as we loved him. The community loved him. You can see the love out here as far as I can see,” said Wilson Augustave Sr.

“It just sucks that I couldn't save him, and the family has to go through it. He was only 17. He had more life to go,” Storrs said.

According to a statement released by the Newark Central School District Superintendent, counselors were made available today for any students, staff, or community members who were in need of support.