N. Phila. man's body found in Del. River; nephew still missing
Police yesterday recovered the body of a 43-year-old North Philadelphia man who had dived from a boat into the Delaware River on Friday night in a failed attempt to save his nephew.
Contact staff writer Dwight Ott
Hector Rosa's body was recovered near the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, where his 11-year-old nephew apparently slipped and fell into the river, police said.
Authorities did not identify the boy, whose body was not recovered. Philadelphia marine police, New Jersey State Police, and the Coast Guard stopped dragging the river yesterday afternoon, Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Crystalynn Kneen said.
The accident occurred about 8 p.m. Friday when the boy was climbing a ladder aboard the anchored 16-foot recreational boat. He fell into the swift current not far from a boat ramp near the Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia Police Officer Anthony Kowalski said.
The uncle then jumped in, Kneen said.
Another man, who had been operating the boat, heard the uncle and the 11-year-old yelling for a rope. He turned to get it, but by the time he turned around again, the two had slipped from sight, Kowalski said.
It was still light when the accident occurred, and it might have been avoided had the nephew or his uncle been wearing life jackets, Kowalski said.
Contact staff writer Dwight Ott
at 215-854-2797 or dott@phillynews.com.
