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Crystal Fayo A dramatic rescue of an injured deer on the West Branch Reservoir in Kent Cliffs Friday ended on a sad note when the animal succumbed to its injuries after being taken to shore.

A motorist traveling on Route 301 near Dixon Road contacted the Putnam 911 Dispatch Center around 7:30am when he spotted a deer that had fallen through the ice.

Carmel and Kent Police responded and confirmed the animal floundering in the water. A call went out for the Kent Fire Department along with representatives of the New York State DEC and New York City DEP.

Firefighters donned special gear and Kent fireman Steven Gasparini crawled out onto the ice and managed to corral the deer and gingerly bring it back to shore. The animal had been in the frigid water for a lengthy period and a short time later it succumbed to shock and internal injuries.

Kent Fire Chief Paul Kane commended his men for their rapid response and care for the deer: “The poor animal was too badly injured to survive.”

No injuries were reported to the rescue workers.