Parishville (WWTI) -- Monday night at approximately 8:00, four snowmobilers were traveling southbound on an ice covered portion of the Rainbow Falls Reservoir in the Town of Parishville.
Two of the snowmobilers, 78 year old Robert Campbell of Canton and 87 year old Robert Whalen of Norwood, became disoriented in snowy conditions and drove their snowmobiles into open water. As a result, Campbell and Whalen became submerged in the water. The other two snowmobiles, operated by Daniel Campbell, age 56, of Hamlin and David Livingston, age 51, of Conesus, were able to avoid the open water and immediately contacted emergency services.
Livingston and Daniel Campbell obtained a canoe and while attempting to rescue the two men from the water, Daniel Campbell fell into the water as well.
Multiple agencies responded, including the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Colton Fire and Rescue, Parishville Fire and Rescue, Lisbon Fire Department Dive Team, Massena Rescue Dive Team, Waddington Fire Department Air Boat and Dive Team, and Potsdam Rescue.
All three men were removed from the water. Robert Campbell and Whalen were pronounced deceased at Canton-Potsdam Hospital by St. Lawrence County Coroner June Wood.
Daniel Campbell was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and released.
