TZ tugboat crewman dies while passing through Haverstraw Bay

HAVERSTRAW – Edward T. Smith of Norwalk, Connecticut, a 50-year-old crew member aboard a tug boat used in the new Tappan Zee Bridge construction project ,died after suffering an apparent medical emergency aboard the tug late Monday night, according to the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department.

The cause of Smith’s death has been ruled a medical emergency and is under further investigation by the Rockland County Medical Examiner, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Sheriff’s Department. Members of the Sheriff’s Marine Unit went to the Hudson River in the area of the Tilcon Quarry at about 9:55 p.m. after getting a report of an emergency aboard the Tappan Zee Constructors tug boat Pilgrim. Police said that when Sheriff’s officers got to the boat they found a crew member performing CPR on the 50-year-old man.

Sheriff’s officers continued the CPR and soon had assistance from volunteers of the Stony Point Fire Department and members of the Westchester County Police Marine Unit. The 50-year-old man was removed from the tug and then assisted by members of Rockland Mobile Care and the Stony Point Ambulance Corps, and he was taken to Nyack Hospital.

The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.