Monday, Apr 7, 2008
On Thursday, April 3rd, three men – Ronald Priest, 58, Timothy Panella, 57, and Richard Skoland, 62, all from New Jersey – were fishing in a boat on the Delaware River near the Dingman’s Bridge when their anchor became snagged. The men tried to free it, but ended up capsizing the boat instead. Although they had life jackets with them in the boat, as required by law, they were not wearing them. Panella was caught underneath, so Priest and Skoland tried to maneuver the boat to the New Jersey shore. Priest finally made it to land and was able to flag down a passing motorist. They saw Skoland still with the boat and tried to reach him, but were unsuccessful. A 911 call was made, prompting an immediate response by the park and local fire and rescue organizations. The water was about 40 degrees at the time and running high and fast. Search and rescue crews found the boat about four miles south of the bridge, but neither Panella nor Skoland was with it. A full-scale search was begun, involving the National Park Service, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, New Jersey State Police and other organizations. Searchers scoured 24 miles of the river from the bridge south to Arrow Island, employing boats, dog teams and a helicopter, but found no sign of the men. Efforts are continuing.
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