Dad vanishes in river after pulling his 3 kids to safety, New Jersey police say
A father died after saving his three children from a river, New Jersey police reported.
The 42-year-old South River man noticed his kids, ages 8, 11, and 13, struggling in the Millstone River and jumped in to help, Franklin Township police said in a news release.
He pulled the children to safety in shallow water, but onlookers said he appeared to have difficulty keeping his balance, police said.
Officers arriving after a 911 call at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, found the three kids safe on shore but could not find their father, police said. The children were not seriously hurt.
Their father’s body was discovered at 5:28 p.m. by a dive team, police said. They did not release his name pending notification of his family.
An investigation into the incident continues.
Franklin Township is about 25 miles northeast of Trenton.
What to know about drownings
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2023 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Dad vanishes in river after pulling his 3 kids to safety, New Jersey police say."