THE BALLOON MAN

Circus performer saved from near-drowning in Walden

By Gittel Evangelist-Times Herald-Record

06/18/14 

WALDEN,NY — A man was rescued from near-drowning at James W. Olley Community Park on Wednesday, officials said.

The man, a 25-year-old Russian national who is a performer with the Big Apple Circus, was swimming at the park beach with four other men from the circus, Village Manager John Revella said.

Lifeguards approached the man, who was unidentified, at about 4 p.m. because he was swimming in a restricted area, but found him to be uncooperative – possibly due to a language barrier, Revella said.

At about 5:30, the man went into the water again and began to drown, Revella said. Revella did not know who rescued him.

The victim was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. His condition was unknown Wednesday night.