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Turkey Tail, by Vanaprastha Sciorra

Two tragedies in Big Flats over the weekend

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Two women perish in I-86 crash, Prattsburg woman drowns after canoe accident

From the NY State Police, Troop E

On April 23, 2023 at approximately 6:44 p.m., troopers from SP Horseheads and members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to a two-vehicle-crash on I86 westbound between exits 49 and 50. Two females were pronounced deceased at the scene. 

An investigation revealed that Eduard Edelshteyn, age 76 of Brooklyn, NY was traveling west when he crossed over two lanes of traffic. His vehicle subsequently struck a disabled tractor trailer that was parked off the roadway on the north shoulder. Two passengers of the vehicle, a 72-year-old female and a 58-year-old female were pronounced deceased at the scene. They are not being identified at this time because next of kin have not been notified. 

Both Edelshteyn and a third passenger, Alla Fedosova, age 56 of Brooklyn, NY were transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment. 

The operator of the tractor trailer, Claudio L. Castanheira, age 65 of Fort Lauderdale, FL suffered no injuries. 

On 04/22/23, at approximately 5:00 p.m. troopers from SP Horseheads responded to Miracle Lane in the town of Big Flats for a capsized canoe with a possible drowning victim.  Upon arrival at the scene, the canoe was located but could not be reached due to the location from the shoreline and the river conditions.  At the time of the occurrence, a group of young adults were traveling down the river in kayaks and canoes.  One of the canoes was occupied by two females wearing life vests, which struck a downed tree causing the canoe to capsize.  One of the females was able to free herself and get to shore but the other became trapped underneath the canoe.  The canoe was eventually dislodged from the tree by the Swift Water Rescue Teams from the Wellsburg and Southport Fire Departments.  The second female, a 22-year-old from Prattsburg, NY was then located underneath the canoe and was determined to be deceased. The name of the victim is not being released at this time. The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, West Elmira Police Department, and fire departments from West Elmira, Golden Glow and Big Flats also assisted at the scene.  

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