Man drowns swimming across the Delaware

BUSHKILL-A 34-year old man drowned in the Delaware River late Sunday afternoon in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. His name was not released, pending confirmation of his identity. The victim and three companions, two male and one female, were attempting to swim across the river from Pennsylvania to New Jersey when the drowning occurred. The four swam from the Hialeah Picnic Area to Labar Island. They then continued swimming towards the New Jersey shoreline. The victim began to have difficulty swimming when he was about mid-way across the river. One witness tried to assist him, but was not successful. At approximately 5:40 p.m., the National Park Service’s 24-hour Communications Center received a report of a drowning near the Worthington State Forest Campground. Park rangers, New Jersey State Park Police, and New Jersey State Police immediately responded. National Park Service divers located and recovered the man’s body at 7:30 p.m. He was found in approximately 12 feet of water and was pronounced dead by the Warren County Medical Examiner. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. All river users are reminded that the river has strong currents, sharp-drop-offs, and constantly changing conditions. Do not swim alone, and never try to swim or wade across the river. Use of a properly-fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) can save a life. In the summer, the recreation area offers life-guarded swimming areas at Smithfield Beach and Milford Beach.