WESTFALL, PA – The body of a female swimmer was recovered from the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River early this (Sunday) afternoon.
Emergency responders launched from nearby West End Beach in Port Jervis in response to an emergency call reporting a body floating face down, but wearing a life jacket, just before 12:30 p.m. CPR was reported as immediately underway at the scene.
Port Jervis Police Sgt. Daniel Mioglionico was able to confirm that the victim was a 58-year-old woman who had been swimming with a man.
The man made it safely from the Westfall Boat Launch area in Pennsylvania, to Port Jervis’ West End Beach. However, according to Port Jervis Assistant Fire Chief Chris Southard, the female victim was still close to the PA side when she was recovered.
The victim’s name was not immediately released. She was reported by police to have been a Port Jervis resident or visiting for the summer.
It was also reported that unlike initially thought, the victim was not wearing a life jacket when she was recovered. A life jacket was, however, floating near her. Whether the male swimmer used a personal floating device in crossing the river was not immediately known.
Port Jervis, Westfall, Matamoras, Huguenot, and Sparrowbush water rescue teams responded to the call, along with police and EMS units from Orange and Pike counties.
While the drowning is believed to be accidental, the investigation was ongoing as of mid-afternoon.
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