DELRAN, N.J. — A woman is missing in the Delaware River after entering the water Monday afternoon to help rescue a girl who was struggling near Amico Island Park, authorities said.
Delran police were called shortly before 4 p.m. Monday to the park at 81 Norman Ave. after receiving a report involving two possible drowning victims, according to Burlington County officials.
Authorities said the woman entered the river to help the girl. She managed to push the girl toward shore, where bystanders pulled her from the water and brought her to safety.
The woman, however, went underwater during the rescue and did not resurface.
Emergency crews launched a multi-agency search in the area. The operation involved the Delran Police and Fire departments, Delran Emergency Squad, New Jersey State Police, Camden County Dive Team and Philadelphia Police Department.
Officials later suspended the search for the night and planned to resume operations Tuesday morning. By Monday night, the operation had shifted from a search for the missing woman to a recovery mission, according to officials.
Kevin Peak, deputy chief of the Delran Fire Department, said the river’s outgoing tide was a concern when the woman was reported submerged.
“River current is almost the exact same thing,” Peak said, explaining that a strong current can quickly pull a swimmer underwater.
The girl’s condition was not detailed in the available reports, but officials said bystanders were able to pull her safely to shore after the woman pushed her toward land.
As of the latest confirmed information available Monday night, the missing woman had not been located. Authorities were expected to continue the recovery operation Tuesday morning.
