Sheriff's Cadet, Family Help Deputy Save Man From Lake

PUTNAM VALLEY, NY — A man fell into Lake Oscawana Wednesday evening while trying to ride his ATV on it. A local family and a Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy managed to pull him to safety using an extension cord.

The deputy also fell through the thin ice but where the water was not deep, so he rescued himself.

Deputies were called to the lake at 7:19 p.m. Wednesday because a man was screaming for help and possibly out on the ice, Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley, Jr. reported.

Bradley was flagged down near Colemans Landing by Zachary Kuttruf. Zachary, who is a Sheriff’s Cadet and Boy Scout, led Bradley to the area of the lake where Brendan Foran of Putnam Valley had fallen through the ice.

Foran had been riding his ATV across the lake when the ice gave way and he and the ATV fell into the freezing waters. When Deputy Bradley arrived the 49-year-old had already been in the lake for 10 minutes and was clinging to a rock.

On the shore when Bradley arrived were Zachary’s parents, Bruce and Jennifer Kuttruf, who live nearby. They were attempting to rescue Foran by throwing a garden hose out to him, but the hose didn't reach far enough.

Bradley, attempting to throw the hose from a closer vantage point, walked onto the ice, which broke beneath his feet. Luckily for Deputy Bradley, the water directly underneath him was not deep, Langley said.

Then Jennifer Kuttruf grabbed an extension cord from her home. Firefighter Jonathan Cummings made a “8 on a bight knot” on the end of the extension cord and threw it to Foran. He then, along with Deputy Bradley, Zachary and Bruce Kuttruf pulled the man to shore.

By that time, Deputies Randel Hill, Kevin Radovich, and Anthony Tolve, along with EMS, the Putnam Valley Fire Department, and the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team had arrived on the scene. They assisted in getting Foran safely out of the lake and then carried to the awaiting ambulance.

Foran was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and possible hypothermia.

Sgt. Thomas Lee of the Sheriff’s Department commented, “if not for the quick actions of Deputy Bradley, Brendan Foran could have died from this incident.”

Bradley however, gives most of the credit to the young Cadet and Boy Scout who led him to the distressed man, Langley said.

Langley commended Deputy Jonathan Bradley; 14-year-old Zachary Kuttruf and Kuttruf's parents, Bruce and Jennifer Kuttruf; and all the emergency responders who assisted. Langley would also gave thanks and recognition to off duty firefighter Jonathan Cummings for his crucial part in the rescue efforts. Cummings is a firefighter with the NYFD and a volunteer firefighter with the Putnam Valley Fire Department.