3 Rescued After Boat Capsizes In The Delaware At New Hope

NEW HOPE, PA — Firefighters from New Hope Eagle Fire Company on Friday evening rescued three people trapped on the Delaware River.

At about 7 p.m., fire, ambulance and police units responded to a marine rescue call for people in the water after a boat had capsized on the Delaware River upstream from the New Hope - Lambertville free bridge.

Updated reports indicated that three were in the water after a personal water craft flipped over.

With personnel still at the New Hope Eagle fire station from an earlier fire call, Marine 46 responded quickly. Chief officers responded to the scene and observed three people on the upstream side of a bridge pier.

New Hope Eagle’s Marine 46 launched from the Lambertville boat ramp and quickly reached the two adults and one small child. None of them were wearing personal floating devices.

The rescue crew left a member on the pier to secure the personal water craft while the three stranded individuals were transported back to the boat ramp.

Once the individuals were safely on the shore, Marine 46 went back out and towed the boat back to the ramp. The three individuals reported no injuries or medical complaints.

City of Lambertville Fire District No. 1 and Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad assisted at the boat ramp, while Central Bucks Emergency Medical Services and another LNHARS crew stood by in the parking lot behind Starbucks in New Hope.

Crews were also assisted by the New Hope Borough Police Department, Lambertville Police Department and the Bridge Commission personnel.

“Personal floatation devices are required by law for anyone operating or riding on a PWC in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Please wear them,” said the firefighters. “Luckily this incident didn't end in a tragedy, primarily due to the low water conditions we're experiencing.”