Rafter drowned in river accident

Recovery made seven miles downstream WESTFALL — The body of a Queens, N.Y. man, who was tossed from his rented raft at Stairway (Staircase)Rapids on Sunday afternoon was recovered Wednesday by Port Jervis Fire Department divers seven miles downstream. Hin Hon Siu, 36, of Flushing, N.Y., was rafting with three companions on the rain-swollen river Sunday afternoon. According to the National Park Service, the river was about twice its normal 3.5-foot depth at 1:30 p.m., when all four were thrown from the raft by the motion of the rapids. Three of the men, including the only one of the four who wore a lifejacket, swam to safety. Siu was swept downstream. Park Ranger Kevin Reish and Park volunteer Robert Hare were on boat patrol nearby and attempted to reach him. Approaching, they threw a life preserver to the sinking man, who was unable to reach it. Hare then jumped in an effort to save the drowning man , but Siu had already slipped below the muddy water and disappeared before Hare could reach him. Siu’s disappearance prompted a massive search and then a recovery effort. According to the park service, in addition its search, the state police and department of environmental conservation officers and divers from N.Y. , as well as the state police helicopter were involved. Other assistance came from the Game Commission, and firefighter volunteer divers from Westfall, MillRift , Matamoras and N.Y. companies including Highland Lake, Lumberland, Sparrowbush, Port Jervis, and the Sullivan County Dive Team. This was the area’s second river drowning this year. Since 1980, the year prior to the beginning of Park Service management of the river, 56 people reportedly have drowned in the Upper Delaware.