One person died Sunday after going under the water in the Lehigh River in Easton.
Witnesses reported seeing someone go into the water near the falls near the 100 block of Larry Holmes Drive about 4:45 p.m., according to city fire Chief Henry Hennings. The person who went into the water, who was not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device, did not resurface after going under, the chief said.
The fire department launched its boat to find the man, and requested a drone from Palmer Municipal Fire Department to help find him. Hennings said the person was recovered about 5:40 p.m.
Easton police, Easton EMS, PA Water Rescue, Palmer Municipal Fire Department and the Northampton County Coroner’s Office responded as well.
The incident Sunday came just one week after a similar incident on the Delaware River in Easton. A 45-year-old Palmer Township man died the weekend before when he went under the water in the Delaware River in Easton.
City officials last week urged people to be careful on the river. Hennings said the fire department responds to about 20 river rescues per year. People can get stuck in the water doing a variety of different activities, including swimming, tubing or boating. The current moves fast and can cause issues for anyone, the chief said.
The man who died the weekend earlier was in the river fishing when he was swept away by a current.