Beacon Man Drowns off Little Sandy Beach
The body of a drowned man was recovered the evening of Sep. 1, after he was seen going under water while swimming off Little Sandy Beach in the Hudson Highlands State Park.
Rafael Cubano, 46, of Beacon, died from an apparent drowning, swimming in part of the river not watched by lifeguards. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Cubano was with a group of relatives and friends swimming in the river when he was separated from the rest of the group because of strong river currents. Becoming distressed in the water, he called out for help, but no one could get to him before he went under water, according to authorities.
At 6:47, members of the Mahopac Falls Fire Department dive team recovered Cubano’s body about 15 feet from the shore and in depth of about four feet of water. The coroner’s office pronounced him dead and ordered an autopsy be performed.
Sheriff Don Smith called the death “a horrific and sad tragedy for the family and friends who witnessed the drowning and who have lost their loved one.”
A massive search ensued that involved the Sheriff’s Office patrols and marine unit, State Police patrols and helicopter, State Park Police patrols and marine unit, the Cold Spring Police, the Cold Spring Fire Department, the West Point Fire Department and aviation unit, the Philipstown Ambulance Corps, the Mahopac Falls Fire Department and its Dive Team, a Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office marine unit, and a Westchester County Police marine unit.
