Delaware River

Crews Search for 2 After Boat Capsizes in Delaware River

A dark image of rescuers searching a beach
NBC10

Rescue crews from New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching the Delaware River between the two states not far from the Philadelphia International Airport for two missing boaters over the weekend.

State police and Coast Guard officials said a 19-foot recreational vessel capsized in the river just before 3 p.m. Saturday, sending three people into the water near the South Jersey side.

One boater was rescued near the former Sunoco Eagle Point Refinery but the others remained missing, officials said.

The search resumed Sunday morning but was suspended Sunday evening due to darkness, officials said. The search will resume at 8 a.m. on Monday.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Jones of the New Jersey state police said a storm that had rolled though the area earlier with wind gusts to 30 or 40 mph could have been a contributing factor in the accident. He said hypothermia was a major concern with air temperatures β€œprobably somewhere in the low 40β€²s."

Family and friends huddled for warmth near Red Bank Battlefield Park as Coast Guard, marine units from both states and multiple fire departments from New Jersey and Philadelphia deployed into the river.

Copyright The Associated Press
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