Ameer Simmons was pronounced dead at 2:21 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at the scene near the 300 block of Basin Street in Allentown, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Simmons had jumped from a railroad trestle into Jordan Creek, a tributary of Little Lehigh Creek, and did not come back to the surface, the coroner said.

An autopsy completed Friday at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center determined the cause of death was drowning. The manner of death was ruled accidental, officials said.

The Allentown Police Department, Allentown Fire Department Dive Team, Allentown EMS, Lehigh County Drone Team, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the coroner’s office assisted with the investigation and recovery effort.

“On behalf of the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Ameer’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic loss.”

Coroner Daniel A. Buglio also urged residents to use caution around waterways as summer approaches: “Every year, we respond to incidents that serve as a reminder of how quickly a day of recreation can turn into a tragedy. Natural waterways can be unpredictable, with changing currents, varying depths, hidden hazards, and cold water temperatures. Please keep a close eye on one another, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and never underestimate the dangers that water can present.”


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