New York State Police have released the identity of the man who drowned in the Upper Delaware River on Sunday as Chirag Pratel, a 37-year-old Bensalem, PA, man.
His death is the second drowning on the river in a week. On June 29, 24-year-old Jeysson Ariel Osorio-Reyes of Ocean County, NJ drowned near Milford, PA.
At approximately 12:40 p.m. on July 7, troopers from the Liberty barracks responded to the area of 2362 State Route 97, Pond Eddy, for a report of a drowning in the Delaware River, according to New York State Police.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Patel was swimming in the river during a rafting trip when he submerged and did not return to the surface.
Pennsylvania and New York fire departments and water operations units responded from both sides of the river. As part of Battalion 8 Water Rescue Team, The Port Jervis Fire Department located Patel in the water. He was declared dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing and being investigated by the State Police Liberty Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Officials strongly stressed the need to wear life jackets while in or on the Delaware River and that the number one cause of drowning in the river is swimming.
National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent Lindsay Kurnath told Radio Catskill that life jackets save lives. “This river, while it might look peaceful, it’s always moving. So please wear a properly fitted life jacket if you’re in a boat, if you’re going swimming. Do it for you, do it for your family,” Superintendent Kurnath said. “We all want you to have a wonderful and safe experience. We want you to be able to come back, so yes, please be careful and wear your life jacket when you’re out there on the river.”
To become better informed about the dangers and warnings that come with enjoying the Delaware River, NPS says call the Upper Delaware River Hotline at (845) 252-7100. This recorded message is available 24 hours a day and is updated daily. It provides the river height, air and water temperatures, boating conditions and general river safety information.
Image Credit: Highland Lake Fire Department
I recently learned about the tragic drowning incidents in the Upper Delaware River, and it really left me shaken. Hearing about Chirag Pratel losing his life while simply enjoying a rafting trip is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn dangerous in nature.