Man Escapes Hospital, Swims Across Lake from Police in Upstate NY

What seemed like a strange call, took a whole team to track the runaway man down.

DEC Forest Rangers are always quick to lend a helping hand to the New York State Police whenever they need it. From burning campers to missing hikers, the two have always worked side-by-side to ensure the safety of everyone they serve.

But sometimes they get interesting calls that aren't as routine.

Credit - Google Maps

Hospital (Swim)away

NYSP recently requested DEC assistance in searching for a patient from Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. The man ran away from the hospital, fleeing west and swimming across the entirety Lake Colby. That's a 272-acre body of water.

He was no threat to the public, but was listed as a potential danger to himself.

Quick Search & Arrest

Only 30 minutes after the call, Ranger Rooney spotted the patient, still in his hospital gown and blanket, running along the snowmobile trails behind the camp. He continued running towards the railroad tracks, where he was then spotted by Ranger Corey slightly after.

It took a short chase, but Corey was able to reach the patient and take him into custody. The man was then turned over to the NYSP, who brought him back to Adirondack Medical Center.

It's unknown why the man fled from the hospital, but he reportedly had mental health issues.

13 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- March 2025

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 3/01/2025:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

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We know that almost every little town in the area has a diner, and some are small Mom and Pop businesses who may not even have a presence on social media. So, in an effort to get as full of list of diners in the region as possible, if your favorite one is not in this gallery please visit our Facebook page and give it a shout out. We really do want to hear from you!

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The location of the crash is on a remote part of Blue Ridge Mountain, near the town of Speculator in Hamilton County.

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Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio