Man Critically Injured In Fall Near Dewey Bridge

by Bea Peterson
At approximately 3:30 Sunday morning Hoosick Falls Police responded to a 911 call reporting that a man had fallen from the embankment adjoining the Dewey Bridge on Mechanic St. Wayne (Rocky) Weeden, 52, of Quarry St., apparently stepped over the guardrail, lost his footing and fell 24 feet to the rocks below, about eight feet from the railroad tracks. Bennington Ambulance Service and members of the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad responded to the call. Weeden was stabilized at the scene and, with difficulty, lifted back up to the roadway. From there he was taken by ambulance to the Hoosick Rescue Squad building and then transported by Medflight helicopter to Albany Medical Center.
According to Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Whalen, Weeden and a companion were walking along Mechanic St. when suddenly Weeden disappeared. The companion, who has not been named, told police, one minute he was there, the next he wasn’t. He did not respond when called to in the dark and the 911 call was made. According to Chief Whalen witnesses saw them leave a local bar on foot and they appeared extremely intoxicated.
“There will be rumors floating around,” said Chief Whalen. “But it appears he simply fell.” They have been unable to speak to Weeden at this point. The last report the Chief had was that Weeden was in critical condition. He sustained several broken bones, lung damage, multiple lacerations and head trauma. He suffered a heart attack at the scene and another in the hospital. He is expected to recover from the fall.