NJ Teen, 14, Found Dead In Delaware River: Reports

WALPACK, NJ - The body of a teenage boy was recovered at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area after his family saw him vanish under the Delaware River surface on Sunday, multiple reports said.

The teen’s body was recovered around 3:30 p.m., about an hour after the family called authorities saying that the boy went under the water, the New Jersey Herald reported.

The teen and his family were reportedly on an outing near the Ames-Jennings picnic site, the publication added.

The name of the teen was not released by Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area officials as of Monday morning.

“Our hearts and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the victims of these tragic incidents,” said Dustin Gunderson, dive team leader, in a statement sent to several outlets. “We can’t say it enough: wearing a properly fitted and fastened life jacket is the number one way that folks can keep themselves safe while swimming in the Delaware River.”

This isn’t the first drowning in the park in 2022. In June, a Pennsylvania 23-year-old was reported missing after attempting to swim from the Pennsylvania side of the river to the New Jersey side. NJ Herald reports that neither teen was wearing a life jacket. His body was found four days later.

There have been 103 drownings since 1971 at the recreation site, with 64 percent of incidents involving swimmers, according to NJ.com. Not one swimmer who died was wearing a “properly fitted and fastened life jacket," the park service said, according to the publication.

Park officials say swimmers should keep to shallow areas, avoid swimming near rapids, use lifeguarded beaches and always assign someone to keep an eye on every individual in the water, especially children.