Drowning on the Upper Delaware River
Pond Eddy, NY. A family was rafting on the Upper Delaware River when two went into the river to swim and one swimmer, not wearing a life jacket, drowned. Currents can be strong while not visible from the surface. All 75 drownings in the park since 1980 involved people not wearing life jackets. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation provides loaner life jackets at Skinners Falls, Mongaup and Lackawaxen Accesses.
| 29 Aug 2022 | 10:00
The National Park Service, the West End Dive Team, and Lumberland Ambulance responded to a drowning on the Upper Delaware River a quarter mile north of the Pond Eddy Bridge in Pond Eddy, NY on Saturday, August 27. A family group from Ozone Park, NY was rafting on the river when two of them went in the river to go for a swim. Neither wore life jackets. Both were observed to be in distress. While one was rescued, the second was seen going under water. The emergency call came in around 2:17 p.m. and National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers and the West End Dive Team quickly responded to the scene, but it was too late.
This makes the first drowning in the park this year. Out of the 75 drownings in the park since 1980, 55% were related to swimming and none of the victims were wearing a properly fitted and fastened lifejacket at the time of their death.
High summer temperatures draw people to go into the river to cool off, but the river can be deceiving with swift river currents just beneath the surface and sudden steep drop offs that can cause even the strongest swimmer to panic, leading to tragic consequences. Park staff recommend that all river users always wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times when on or near the river. It is the one piece of safety equipment that will save a life when worn properly and in good condition.
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Loaner life jackets are available at the Skinners Falls and Mongaup NYDEC Accesses, at the PAF&BC Lackawaxen Access, and at the Ten Mile River Access. Remember to wear a life jacket not only for yourself but for your friends and family, NPS recommends. www.nps.gov
Out of the 75 drownings in the park since 1980, 55% were related to swimming and none of the victims were wearing a properly fitted and fastened lifejacket at the time of their death. Park staff recommend that all river users always wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times when on or near the river.