Photo: Tetra images RF
PORT JERVIS - The body of a swimmer who went missing in the Delaware River late afternoon on Sunday was recovered by fire department divers just before noon on Monday. According to police on scene, the swimmer, a 32-year-old local man, was last seen at a popular Port Jervis swimming spot on June 27 as he became distressed and called for help.
The swimming area, located at the tip of Laurel Grove Cemetery, is known by locals as ‘Goose Rock’ and is near the Tri-States monument were New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet. The location marks the juncture of the Delaware and Neversink Rivers in Port Jervis’ Tri-States area.
This rural location has been a popular swimming spot for decades. However, along with the shallow shore area, it features very deep areas just slightly out in the river as well as rapids and swiftly flowing currents throughout. The river stretches between the New York side across to the Pennsylvania shore with some designated beach areas in nearby local areas of Port Jervis and Matamoras, PA.
Swimming, boating, or other recreational on-river uses are not recommended unless life jackets are worn, due to the dangers the river presents. Drownings have continued to occur in the location where the victim was recovered.
Police, multiple fire departments and divers, and ambulance personnel were on scene into the late evening hours Sunday night. Divers and crews returned to continue their search Monday morning. They were able to locate and recover the missing man near the New York area of the river where he was last seen by his companions.
The name of the victim has not been released.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com