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DELRAN, New Jersey (KYW) — Emergency crews have recovered the body of a woman who went missing in the Delaware River after trying to rescue a girl who was struggling in the water.
Delran police responded to a report of two potential drowning victims shortly before 4 p.m. Monday at Amico Island Park at 81 Norman Ave., a Burlington County spokesperson said in a news release.
The missing woman went into the Delaware River to try to rescue a girl struggling in the water, the spokesperson said. The woman pushed the girl toward shore, where bystanders pulled her to safety.
According to the spokesperson, the woman went underwater during the rescue.
On Tuesday, officials confirmed the woman was located around 8:15 a.m. about 20 feet from a beach at the park.
She has been identified as 33-year-old Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos of Delran.
The search area focused around the mouth of the Rancocas Creek, where it meets the Delaware River.
“At the time when the reports came in that she was submerged, the tide was moving out,” Kevin Peak, deputy chief of the Delran Fire Department, said. “We’ve heard all the stories about the ocean swimmers who get pulled by the undertow. River current is almost the exact same thing. It will pull you right under. If you’re not a strong swimmer or a good swimmer, it’s not going to fare very well for anyone involved.”
The search for the missing woman included the Delran police and fire departments, the Delran Emergency Squad, New Jersey State Police, Camden County dive team and the Philadelphia Police Department.
Amico Island Park is closed Tuesday due to the investigation.
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