Spencerport, N.Y.- Ogden Police are investigating an apparent drowning in the Erie Canal.
Police said a passer-by discovered Michael J. Vyrvoss, 20, in the canal in the village of Spencerport Monday afternoon.
According to his family he was a developmentally disabled student at BOCES 2.
Scott Oechsle, owner of The Reptile Guys, the store next door to BOCES 2 in Spencerport, says he was working Monday when teachers stopped in his store, more then once, looking for the missing student.
Oechsle says around 20 minutes after the first teacher stopped in he heard a scream, Vyrvoss was found in the water. A bystander ran to pull Vyrvoss out until Oechsle and teachers got there.
“I helped the teachers pull him out,” said Oechsle. “I was frustrated some of the teachers didn't know CPR and I think the nurse finally came out.”
Vyrvoss was taken to Unity Hospital and was pronounced dead.
“I didn't sleep last night really at all, especially with seeing him after just seeing him with the shows,” said Oechsle, he performed a reptile show for the BOCES 2 students a few weeks ago.
BOCES is also investigating what led up to the drowning.
