(Alexandria Bay, NY – Aug. 10, 2011) The New York State Police in Alexandria Bay are currently investigating a possible scuba diving accident that occurred just prior to noon Aug. 10 in the St. Lawrence River.
At 11:55 a.m. Jefferson County 911 dispatch was contacted by the United States Coast Guard at Wellesley Island (Town of Alexandria) regarding three divers in distress in the main channel off of Wellesley Island. A Coast Guard vessel subsequently transported the three divers to the village of Alexandria Bay where they were transferred to police and EMS personnel. All three divers were transported to River Hospital in the village of Alexandria Bay.
Initial investigation reveals the three men were diving in approximately 200 feet of water on the wreck of the Roy A. Jodrey, a 700-foot long vessel that sank adjacent to the Coast Guard station on Wellesley Island in 1972, when Michael K. Roberts began to display signs of distress. Blair C. Mott and Christopher D. Monk attempted to assist Roberts in reaching the surface of the river. Upon surfacing, all three men were spotted by Coast Guard personnel who were able to provide immediate assistance.
Michael K. Roberts, 39, 158 Fairview Road Kingston, Ontario was pronounced dead at River Hospital in Alexandria Bay. The cause and manner of death is pending an autopsy at Samaritan Medical Center.
Blair C. Mott , 42, of 29 Landsdown Komoka, Ontario was treated at River Hospital and transferred to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for decompression treatment.
Christopher D. Monk, 33, 136 Orchard Heights Aurora, Ontario was treated at River Hospital and released.



