Staff Report / July 14, 2025
A man is fighting for his life after a serious boating accident on the evening of Saturday, July 12, just off East Lake Road near Middlesex in Yates County.
According to the Yates County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and emergency crews were dispatched shortly before 8:00 p.m. following reports of a boat striking the shore, ejecting the driver onto land. On arrival, bystanders were already administering aid to Benjamin Cramer, who suffered multiple severe injuries.
Cramer was initially taken to F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua and later transferred via Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he remains in critical condition.
A significant emergency response was launched, including:
- Middlesex Fire Department
- Middlesex Ambulance
- Cheshire Fire Department
- Rushville Fire Department
- Yates County Marine Patrol
- Mercy Flight air ambulance
The combined efforts of these agencies helped secure the scene and ensure Cramer received prompt medical attention.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which remains under review by the Yates County Sheriff’s Office.
