A tragic incident unfolded in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area when Baruch Ber Ziemba, a 39-year-old man from Lakewood, New Jersey, lost his life in a drowning accident while trying to rescue his two children who were struggling in the Delaware River. Ziemba was on vacation with his wife and seven children when the incident occurred near the park’s Bushkill Access around 1:45 p.m. on Monday.
Witnesses stated that Ziemba courageously leaped into the water from a boat to assist his children, successfully bringing them to safety. However, he was subsequently overpowered by a wave and tragically drowned. His body was found approximately 20 to 30 feet from the shore in seven feet of water about an hour and a half after the incident.
Fortunately, no other injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The National Park Service rangers confirmed that the three beaches in the recreation area do not have lifeguards on duty and are designated as “swim at your own risk” areas. The park service highly recommends that swimmers remain within guarded beaches due to the Delaware River’s known strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and other hazardous conditions that pose risks to swimmers.
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety and the potential dangers that can accompany recreational activities in natural bodies of water. Visitors are urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.