Two dead after snowmobile falls through ice in Clifton, New York, police say
Updated: 11:07 AM EST Jan 20, 2026
Two people have died after a snowmobile crashed through the ice into the Oswegatchie River over the weekend.The crash happened off County Route 60 in Clifton on Sunday evening, according to New York State Police. Three people, including two men and one six-year-old child, were missing after they did not return from a fishing trip.Investigators learned that Patrick LaPlante, 51, of Newton Falls, had located one of the victims, identified as Bryan LaPlante, 33, of Newton Falls, but fell into the water himself while trying to rescue him. Patrick LaPlante was able to get himself out of the water but lost sight of Bryan, according to police. He returned home to warm up, and the six-year-old boy arrived shortly after. Both Patrick LaPlante and the child were taken to an area hospital to be treated for hypothermia.Police and fire crews responded to the scene and found both Bryan LaPlante and the third victim, Michael Booth, 48, of Oswegatchie. The men were unresponsive and were brought to Gouverneur hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
CLIFTON, N.Y. —
Two people have died after a snowmobile crashed through the ice into the Oswegatchie River over the weekend.
The crash happened off County Route 60 in Clifton on Sunday evening, according to New York State Police. Three people, including two men and one six-year-old child, were missing after they did not return from a fishing trip.
Investigators learned that Patrick LaPlante, 51, of Newton Falls, had located one of the victims, identified as Bryan LaPlante, 33, of Newton Falls, but fell into the water himself while trying to rescue him.
Patrick LaPlante was able to get himself out of the water but lost sight of Bryan, according to police. He returned home to warm up, and the six-year-old boy arrived shortly after. Both Patrick LaPlante and the child were taken to an area hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
Police and fire crews responded to the scene and found both Bryan LaPlante and the third victim, Michael Booth, 48, of Oswegatchie. The men were unresponsive and were brought to Gouverneur hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.