Amid stormy conditions, teenager drowns after kayak capsizes in Otsego County lake

A 19-year-old kayaker drowned Monday night at Candarago Lake in Otsego County after capsizing amid stormy weather, according to state police.

Dustin N. Groat, of Jordanville, was found early Tuesday in 23 feet of water by a New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team. Troopers had been called to the lake around 9:44 p.m. Tuesday after two teenagers on separate kayaks capsized in the water.

The teenagers had been kayaking for about two hours when they decided to paddle back to the boat launch as a storm approached. Troopers said Groat was not wearing a flotation device when his kayak capsized.

The second teenager, unable to locate Groat in the water, returned to shore and called for help. 

Due to the storm and the choppy conditions of the lake, troopers said, the underwater recovery team was unable to begin recovery efforts until 1 a.m. Tuesday.

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At 4:25 a.m., Groat's body was found in the water. His death has been labeled an accidental drowning, but troopers said Tuesday they are still investigating.

Troopers were assisted by the Schuyler Lake Fire Department and their airboat; the Richfield Springs, West Exeter and Hartwick fire departments; the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

On Twitter: @PSBABorrelli

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