News Release

NJ man, 30, Drowns in Delaware River while Swimming

Date: September 3, 2025
Contact: Eric Linaris, 570-856-7429
Contact: Kara Deutsch, 570-656-6084

BUSHKILL, PA- Around 4:10 pm on Tuesday, September 2, the emergency communications center at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area received a report of a drowning in the Delaware River near the Kittatinny Point picnic area. National Park Service (NPS) rangers and dive team members, New Jersey State Police, and water rescue teams from Portland (PA) Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call.

Crews quickly located and recovered the body of a 30-year-old Parsipanny, New Jersey man from the river, where the water was approximately 17 feet deep. The man was swimming with family members near the picnic area when he tired while attempting to swim across the river and went under.

The NPS reminds all river users to wear a properly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved life jacket while swimming, floating, fishing, or boating on the Delaware River.
 

-NPS-

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