DEERPARK, NY — On April 5, 2022, New York State Police responded to a fatal fall at the Hawk’s Nest in the town of Deerpark. A preliminary investigation revealed that Binh Ledinh, age 42 from the town of Lumberland, was flying a drone on State Route 97/Hawk’s Nest in the early hours. At approximately 7:32 a.m. the drone crashed 17 feet down an embankment. Mr. Ledinh attempted to retrieve the drone and fell approximately 250 feet. 

At 12:10 p.m. Mr. Ledinh’s wife contacted the New York State Police Wurtsboro to report him missing. Troopers located his vehicle, a 2010 Honda CRV, at the Hawk’s Nest at approximately 1:45 p.m. and located Mr. Ledinh a short time later. Mr. Ledinh could not be reached by foot because of the steep terrain. State Police were assisted at the scene by Sparrow Bush Fire Department, Port Jervis Fire Department and Ambulance, Matamoras Fire Department, Huguenot Fire Department, Lumberland Fire Department, Orange County Technical Rescue Team, Port Jervis EMS, Mobil Life, West Point, Newburgh Rope Team, Deer Park Police Department, and State Medivac.

The Orange County Technical Rescue Team lowered themselves to Mr. Ledinh and determined he was deceased. He was then lowered into a rescue boat in the Delaware River where he was then transported to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.