ITHACA, NY. (THECOUNT) — Calistus Anyichie has been identified as the drowning victim while visiting Buttermilk Falls State Park, in Ithaca, New York Sunday.
Anyichie, 19, drowned while swimming at the park in the 300 block of West King Road on Sunday.
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Crews responded to reports of a man struggling in the water near West King Road at upper Buttermilk Falls State Park at around 5 p.m.
Anyichie’s body was later located at the base of a 15-foot bank. Emergency crews used a rope system to pull him out of the ravine, reports PressConnects.
Anyichie was to enter his sophomore year at Binghamton University in the fall.
According to a statement from the university, Anyichie was a member of the men’s basketball team and was majoring in political science.
“A talented young person has been tragically taken from us,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “This is a heartbreaking loss for our community. We will do all that we can to be there for his family, for the team and everyone who knew Calistus.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Calistus,” Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott, said. “Calistus was a bright and engaging young man with an infectious smile. He loved his academic studies at Binghamton and embodied the exceptional spirit of being a student-athlete at our University. This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, teammates and fellow student-athletes.”
Anyichie’s Freshman Season (2018-19) stats:
Played in 32 games and averaged 9.1 minutes
Averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds
Added 21 blocks (3rd on team)
Shot 56 percent from field
Scored season-high 10 points in 29 minutes at Albany on Feb. 2
Pulled down season-high 10 rebounds at Northwestern on Nov. 16
Had five or more rebounds seven times
Had seven boards in 26 minutes in America East quarterfinal win over Stony Brook on March 9
Geo quick facts: Ithaca is a city on Cayuga Lake, in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It’s home to Cornell University and its I.M. Pei–designed Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. The sprawling Cornell Botanic Gardens includes an arboretum and multi-tiered Cascadilla Falls. Other waterfalls in the area include Ithaca Falls, near downtown. Southwest, Buttermilk Falls and Robert H. Treman state parks offer wooded gorges and natural pools – wikipedia.