Body of man, 39, recovered from canal in Hulberton

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Sheriff’s personnel are near the spot on the Erie Canal where a Hulberton man fell late last night. The Sheriff’s Office has an underwater drone in the water in this photo.

HULBERTON – A man drown in the Erie Canal last night in Hulberton, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said this afternoon.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of Robert Bristol, age 39, of Hulberton in the Town of Murray today.

An acquaintance reported Mr. Bristol missing at approximately 5:25 this morning. Sheriff’s deputies conducted an extensive search of the area using the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Drone Unit, and Marine Division along with deputies on foot, Bourke said.

Deputy Jeff Cole and K-9 Otto from the Sheriff’s office tracked Bristol from his last known location directly to the bank of the Erie Canal near the Hulberton lift bridge. Bristol was found submerged in water close to the area where the K-9 track ended.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Murray Joint Fire District, Orleans County Emergency Management Office and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

Sheriff’s Investigators are continuing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

“At this time, we have reason to believe that consumption of alcoholic beverages may have contributed to Mr. Bristol falling in the canal,” Bourke said. “The body was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.”