The body of a 49 year old fisherman missing for over a week was recovered this past Monday afternoon. William Van Dyke was a 1992 graduate of Port Jervis High School. On the morning of September 8th Van Dyke and his lifelong friend from Port Jervis launched his brand new Jon boat into the Delaware in the Town of Deer Park. The two men were on the boat along with life jackets and fishing equipment. On the way to their favorite fishing spot the boat capsized near Cherry Island. Both men made it to Cherry Island safely. Then made a tragic decision to try and swim to the nearby New York shoreline. After struggling in the strong current, Van Dyke never made it to the New York side. His friend did make it and immediately called for help.
This past Monday a New York State Police helicopter team saw Van Dyke's body near Mashipacong Island and Delaware Valley High School. New Jersey and New York State Police worked together that afternoon to recover Van Dyke's body from the Delaware off River Road in Montague.
Source: Mid Hudson News
The Delaware River flowing through Port Jervis and Matamoras