At Least 30 NJ Water Deaths Since May As Tragic Trend Continues

UPDATE: More water-related deaths continue to plague New Jersey during the spring and summer season.

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STORY:

The number of people who have died in New Jersey water-related deaths continues to rise, with 30 dead since the beginning of May.

On June 19, a body was found floating in a park river. Another man who wasn't wearing his life jacket was found after an eight-day search in June.

The line of water deaths extends a trend that began last year, when 34 people died in New Jersey last spring and summer. Now a new list of water tragedies has begun (see list below).

Diane Concannon, a spokesman for the New Jersey Red Cross, reacted by saying, "Oh my God," when she was told about the number of deaths in one month.

The trend has prompted some health advocates to remind people about the importance of being safe while swimming. The Salvation Army and the Red Cross have even joined forces, putting together a program that provides swim lessons and water safety training that are intended to be affordable.

New Jersey doesn't require lifeguards at hotel and motel pools, and a number of incidents have involved unguarded swimmers. Concannon, however, said people should always swim with a guard present.

"People need to learn to swim," she said. "Parents need to keep an eye on their children. People need to always keep their children at arm's length. Always swim with a lifeguard present."

Here are the deaths:

Body Found In Morris County Park: MCPO

A body was found in a Boonton park on Tuesday, June 19, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed.

The spokesperson confirmed the body of a man was found, but declined to elaborate, citing an active investigation. The body was reportedly found floating in a Grace Lord Park body of water by a fellow park-goer. Read more here...

NJ Man Killed In Delaware River Boating Accident

A 32-year-old South Jersey man was killed in a boating accident over the June 16 weekend, authorities have confirmed.

The body of 32-year-old Mark Reichman was pulled from the Delaware River in the area of Beverly City on Monday, June 18, said Trooper Alejandro Goez. His body was recovered around 2 p.m. by the New Jersey State Police Marine Service Bureau. Read more here...

Toms River Man Drowns At Manchester Lake: Police

A Toms River man drowned Monday, June 11 after he fell off a raft at Harry Wright Lake and never resurfaced, Manchester Township police said.

Luis Angel Meyo-Jimenez, 20, of Toms River, was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center, Toms River, Monday night after he was found at the bottom of the lake, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said. Read more here....

Kayaker's Body Found In Morris County Reservoir

A Totowa man was identified as the kayaker who went missing over Memorial Day Weekend in Splitrock Reservoir in Rockaway Township, New Jersey State Police confirmed.

The body of Michael Vecchiarella, 55, was recovered from the reservoir Friday, June 1, New Jersey State Trooper Alejandro Goez said. He was declared dead by the Morris County Medical Examiner's office shortly afterwards. Read more here...

Missing New Hope Man Found Dead

A New Hope man who went missing in May was found dead, police have confirmed.

According to Solebury Township Police, the body of 51-year-old William Allen Brewer was located in the canal in Stockton on Tuesday, May 29. Preliminary investigation indicates his death was accidental, according to police. Read more here...

Body Recovered In Delaware River

A body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Jersey on Saturday, May 26, police said

Around 12 noon, the body was discovered by a passing boat. The operator then notified police about the discovery, police said. Read more here...

Search Ends After NJ Man Who Fell In Delaware River Found

The search ended after eight days for a New Jersey man who went missing in the Delaware River on May 25, according to the National Park Service.

The 39-year-old man, who was not identified, went missing after his canoe capsized in the Delaware River north of the I-80 bridge, according to the National Park Service.

The man was found downstream of Portland after 8 days. The National Park Service confirmed his identity from the coroner based on dental records a few days later.

The man went missing after 3 p.m. near the site of the Karamac Bridge, according to the NPS. A woman, meanwhile, was rescued by park visitors who were in a canoe in the area and brought her to the canoe access point at Kittatinny Point in Hardwick.

She was then transported by ambulance to an area hospital, according to the NPS. Neither was wearing a life jacket, and the water temperature was measured at 62 degrees. Read more here...

Long Search Ends For Man After NJ Boat Crash

The overnight search ended for a man who went missing after a boat with five people on board overturned Monday, May 21. The five people aboard a 16-foot recreational vessel ended up in the Delaware River after the boat crashed into a wake.

The Coast Guard and State Police were searching for a man in his 20s who fell in the water near Hawk Island in Burlington County. The Coast Guard suspended the search at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22.

The Coast Guard began searching along with crews from the Philadelphia Marine Police, New Jersey State Police, Philadelphia Fire Marine, and Delanco Fire on Monday night. Read more here...

Body Of 12-Year-Old Boy Pulled From NJ Lake: Cops

The body of a 12-year-old boy was recovered from a Burlington County lake late Thursday after police said he fell in while fishing off a pier with friends.

Police and emergency crews were searching for the missing child, who was not identified, in the New Jersey lake for more than 3 hours, police said. A group of kids went into the lake around 4:49 p.m. but one did not return to the shore, according to police.

A dive team went into the water to search for the boy. The body was still submerged because of murky water conditions, according to police. Read more here...

YouTube photo/video and image via Solebury Police