The 17-year-old who drowned in a retention pond near Deer View Drive on Aug. 10 may not have been a strong enough swimmer to safely exit the water, according to preliminary investigation results from the New York State Police.
New York State Police Troop A Public Information Officer James O’Callaghan said investigators are still waiting for autopsy results from the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office that could indicate whether a medical problem contributed to the death of 17-year-old Quinn J. Cratsenberg of Royalton. Troopers have ruled out foul play in the drowning.
O’Callaghan said Monday that the incident seemed to be “just a couple of kids playing in a pond. They weren’t messing around to a point where anything was putting anyone in danger.” The teen may have panicked in the deep water and couldn’t continue to swim.
The teen had walked into the pond, rather than diving, O’Callaghan said, and was not found trapped under submerged hazards. The investigation has not revealed any drug or alcohol use.
Troopers were called to the pond near Deer View Drive in Royalton at about 6:45 p.m. that Sunday after receiving reports that a youngster went underwater while swimming and did not resurface.
Numerous first responders entered the water in an attempt to locate the teen but were unsuccessful.
Members of the state police Underwater Recovery Team and Niagara County Sheriff’s Dive Team responded and found the teen’s body at about 8:55 p.m. under nearly 10 feet of water.