Man Dies After Swimming At North Jersey State Park

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Paterson man died after swimming in a remote section of Wawayanda State Park in West Milford — where swimming in prohibited — early Sunday night, authorities said.

New Jersey State Park Police responded to a call that the man, 20, became distressed while swimming with a friend at Terrace Pond, said Bob Considine, press director of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. State Park Police responded and monitored the pond overnight into Monday.

The West Milford Police dive team began a search early Monday morning in cooperation with the State Park Police and New Jersey State Police, Considine said.

The man's body was recovered at about 11 a.m. near where he had become distressed while swimming, he said. The water where he was is about 20 feet deep. The man's name is being withheld until his next of kin is notified of his death.

Considine said swimming is not allowed in that section of the park.

"It's actually a 30- to 45-minute hike to get to that location," he said. "We continue to encourage the public to swim only in lifeguarded areas."

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