A 30-year-old New Jersey man drowned near a family picnic area in Pennsylvania on Tuesday while swimming across the Delaware River, officials said.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area’s emergency communications center received a report of a drowning in the Delaware River near the Kittatinny Point picnic area at approximately 4:10 p.m., as noted by the National Park Service (NPS).
NPS rangers, alongside dive team members, New Jersey State Police, and water rescue teams from the Portland, Penn., Volunteer Fire Department, arrived on the scene promptly and recovered the body of a 30-year-old man from the river.
“The man was swimming with family members near the picnic area when he tired while attempting to swim across the river and went under,” NPS said.
In this archival photo from the National Park Service, kayaks and canoes line the riverfront at a sandy boat launch near the Delaware Water Gap. (NPS)
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is renowned for its serene landscapes that stretch along 40 miles of the longest unimpeded river east of the Mississippi River, according to the NPS website.
The park offers year-round hiking, paddling, fishing and hunting.
The park service reminded the public to wear a life jacket when swimming, floating, fishing, or boating on the Delaware River.
