A 22-year-old man from New Jersey died after drowning while swimming with his friends, police officials have confirmed. The incident happened in the Delaware River, in Ewing Township, New Jersey, on Saturday afternoon.
According to local authorities, a group of friends had gone swimming in the river near Wilburtha Road. Around 4:40 p.m., one of the friends noticed that the 22-year-old man had gone underwater and hadn’t come back up. His friends immediately called 911 to report that he was missing in the water.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including rescue divers and multiple local agencies. Crews searched the area both in the water and along the shore. The search lasted for several hours and involved help from the New Jersey State Police and other regional rescue teams.
At around 7:15 p.m., the body of the young man was found and pulled out from the river. Sadly, he was already dead. His name has not yet been released to the public because authorities are still informing his family members.
Officials have said that the drowning appears to be accidental. However, an official investigation is still going on to understand exactly what happened. The area where the group was swimming is not a designated swimming zone, and there were no lifeguards present.
Police say that swimming in parts of the Delaware River can be dangerous due to strong currents, unexpected drop-offs, and changes in water depth.
Even for people who know how to swim, the river can quickly become risky. Authorities always advise people to only swim in approved areas where lifeguards are on duty.
Ewing Township Police are working with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to continue the investigation. They are also asking anyone who may have seen anything or has more information to come forward and contact local authorities.
People living nearby shared their shock and sadness. Some locals who regularly visit the river say that while the water looks calm on the surface, it can be deceiving.
Several residents mentioned that this isn’t the first time someone has drowned in that area, and they’re urging for clearer signs and better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a fun outing can turn into a life-threatening situation. Police are again urging people to be cautious near rivers, lakes, and other natural water bodies.
They are also reminding people not to enter the water in areas where swimming is not allowed, especially when lifeguards are not around.
The name of the victim will be shared later once his family has had time to process the loss and make arrangements. For now, friends, family members, and the local community are left grieving the loss of a young life taken too soon.
As the investigation continues, officials hope this tragic event will serve as a warning to others about the risks of swimming in unapproved areas. The police and emergency teams also thanked all those who helped in the search and rescue efforts.
The Delaware River has been the site of multiple similar incidents over the years, and safety experts continue to raise awareness about water safety and drowning prevention, especially during the warmer months when more people head outdoors.