Even though it is illegal, swimming and cliff jumping are popular at Second Dam in the town of Ithaca. Eric Richardson of Virgil drowned there Sunday. As Philip O'Driscoll explains, the accident has many asking what can be done to prevent future tragedies.
ITHACA, N.Y. -- The waters of Second Dam may look inviting on a hot summer day, but swimming and cliff jumping at the popular spot is illegal in the town of Ithaca.
Eric Richardson, 20, of Virgil was doing just that Sunday, when he drowned in the dam.
Neighbors in the area are all too familiar with the scene.
"We see emergency calls, probably two or three helicopters a year," said Ithaca resident that didn't want to give his full name.
"We definitely don't like how much partying goes on down there, but I will say that if people could just swim and be respectful and not party -- I don't think it's wrong to swim in the waters here," said Kadie Salfi, another Ithaca resident.
Both residents live right near a pathway to the site. And while the sign at the head of this trail prohibits swimming, it doesn't prohibit people from venturing down to Second Dam.
"Something has to be done further than what has been done up to the present, because kids continue to get killed there and that does not seem to deter the young people from going there," said Ithaca Town Supervisor Herb Engman.
Engman says one of the ideas is to make the area more family friendly, but any transition could take some time.