Global Courant
A 37-year-old man has drowned after rescuing two children struggling in the waters of a Pennsylvania state park, authorities say.
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office announced that Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas died of drowning Thursday night. Chicas “disappeared in the water” after rescuing two children in Nockamixon State Park.
Chicas reportedly saw the children struggling at Tohickon Creek around 5 p.m. He dove into the water to bring the children back to shore, but drowned.
Haycock Township Fire Chief Harry Grim reported that about 10 divers were deployed to search for Chicas, according to WFMZ. Divers recovered Chicas’ body two hours later.
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This view shows part of Tohickon Creek near Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (Google Maps)
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources prohibits swimmers from entering Tohickon Creek.
Swimmers are also not allowed to swim in Lake Nockamixon, the largest lake in Bucks County at 1,450 acres.
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Swimmers are not allowed into Tohickon Creek, according to Pennsylvania authorities. (Google Maps)
Grim told WFMZ that swimmers often view parts of the creeks and lakes as shallow, while they can be very deep along the coast.
“Unfortunately, people don’t play by the rules, and the sad reality is that it’s not a smooth, gradual slope underwater, and they step into a deep area, take a drink of water, and sadly die. It shouldn’t happen, but it happens,” said Grim.
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Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas drowned while rescuing struggling children in the waters of Nockamixon State Park. (Google Maps)
“Don’t swim in Lake Nockamixon,” said Grim. “It’s zero visibility this time of year. Divers at 3 meters can’t see their own hands in front of their faces.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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