Divers have recovered the body of a swimmer who went missing in the Hudson River Tuesday night. The body of Terrence Cozzy, 20, of Watervliet was recovered Wednesday morning near the Congress Street Bridge. Sabina Kuriakose has the details.

WATERVLIET, N.Y. -- "The worst thing was, was just watching him float down," said Cody Peck.

That was the last time he saw his best friend alive after the two tried to swim across the Hudson River from Troy to Watervliet Tuesday evening.

"Got about 10 feet and saw him start struggling," Peck said. "I kept going, Buddy, Buddy, are you alright?"

More than 12 hours later, divers pulled the body of 20-year-old Terrence Cozzy from the Hudson's murky waters near the Congress Street Bridge.

"Words can't even explain what's going on right now," said Peck. "But I think that the search team did a really good job finding him quick."

When police arrived around 8 p.m. Tuesday, they found Peck trying to save his friend. They were able to pull Peck to safety but couldn't reach Cozzy in time. Crews resumed their search around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The body was found about two hours later.

"The current there is extremely strong, particularly the undercurrent there can sweep you away quite quickly, even for stronger swimmers," said Sgt. Terry Buchanan of the Troy Police Department.

Peck and his family and friends mourned the loss of their friend, known as Buddy, as they watched divers work from shore. Peck said he tried all he could to save his friend.

"I just felt like I needed to be here because I failed him," said Peck. "I don't feel like I did as much as I could've. I just feel like it should've been me in there and not him. I just...and he's my best friend. I'd be down here no matter what, even if we weren't together or anything."

After the search ended, Peck tossed a lucky charm into the river - a token, he said, to a lost friend.