NEWS

Port Jervis teen drowns in Delaware River

Rachel Ettlinger
rettlinger@th-record.com
HASH

PORT JERVIS - A 13-year-old boy drowned while swimming in the Delaware River on Saturday, according to city police Chief William Worden.

The boy’s identity is being withheld pending family notifications, Worden said Sunday.

Port Jervis police were called at 6:06 p.m. Saturday for a reported potential drowning in the Delaware River near the Laurel Grove Cemetery area. Another Port Jervis teen told police he had been swimming in the river with his friend when the friend became distressed and lost in the water, Worden said.

Dive teams from the tri-state area responded to search the water. They found the Port Jervis boy’s body near the I-84 bridge, downstream about 100 yards from where he went under, at about 7:45 p.m., Worden said.

Police are awaiting autopsy results from the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office as they investigate the incident, Worden said.

“Keep his family in your prayers,” Worden said. “Keep this young boy in your prayers.”

rettlinger@th-record.com