State Says No To Mother Of Sylvan Beach Drowning Victim

Nancy Teater of Verona was fishing with her son in the Erie Canal at Sylvan Beach in early May.  When 23-year-old Aaron dove into the water to retrieve a tackle box that had fallen in, he was pulled under by the undercurrent, and he drowned.

Teater had tried to reach her son using an extendable fishing net.  There was no rope available and no life saving rings at the pier to throw to Aaron.

Soon after the tragedy that took her son's life, Nancy and her daughter Starlette Teater, decided to do something that could prevent other drownings at that location.  They raised money to buy one or more life saving rings or buoys to be installed on the pier where the Erie Canal meets Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach.

Starlette told Syracuse.com that she contacted the New York State Canal Corp for permission to place the ring at the pier, but was turned down.  She said that no reason for the denial was given.

The Teaters have now reached out to State Senator David Valesky of Oneida for help.  He has promised to work with the family on enhancing canal safety so as to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.