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Another Death at Kaaterskill Falls

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:23 pm
by dave
Marcel R. Pilette, 58, of Delmar New York was found dead at the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls on December 29th, 2009 around 1:30 PM by another hiker. According to Greene County Coroner Hassan Basagic, Marcel Pilette died of massive head trauma. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany on Monday, December 30, 2009.

New York State Police are investigating the death. They believe that Marcel Pilette was alone at the top of the Falls. They have not ruled out suicide, but they do believe that it is most likely an accident. There was a lot of ice near the top of the Falls. Most of the area around the Falls slopes downward. This makes it very unforgiving if the hiker slips. It is almost impossible to recover before slipping off the top. The State Police received a phone call around 1:30 PM on December 29, 2009 that the body of a man was at the bottom of the upper Kaaterskill Falls.

Re: Another Death at Kaaterskill Falls

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:37 am
by mike
Very sad situation. I refuse to visit Kaaterskill Falls in the Winter. Everything slopes downhill. Slip, and your a goner. I don't remember what the wind was like that day. But, if wind blows up the Falls, it can suck you off the top.

Re: Another Death at Kaaterskill Falls

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:23 am
by alexis
What a terrible tragedy! So sad to hear about another death a K-Falls. Feel bad for his family. I think he was a regular hiker in the Catskills. Not sure why he would go so close to the top.

Re: Another Death at Kaaterskill Falls

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:57 pm
by mtnclimber
Pretty dangerous place! What a horrible way to die. Feel sorry for him and his family.