An outing on the Upper Delaware River turned into a tragic day for a family from Ozone Park, New York on Saturday. A press release from the National Park Service says the drowning victim was not wearing a life jacket. According to reports from the scene two members of the family group decided to leave their raft and go for a swim. Both swimmers were struggling in the river's current just north of the Pond Eddy Bridge moments later. While one of them managed to stay above water. An18 year old man went under and did not return to the surface.
The call for help came at around 2:30 in the afternoon. First responders from Orange, Sullivan and Pike Counties were at the scene moments later with rescue boats. The young man's body was found a short while later. Everyone who goes rafting or tubing on the Delaware River should be wearing a life jacket. It only takes moments to drown. The National Park Service release served as a sad reminder for all park goers to respect the river. Which is very shallow in some areas but can quickly get dangerous with sudden deep drops and swift currents.
Source: National Park Service
Delaware River in MatamorasPhoto: Steve Andrews