Search Presses on for W. Deptford Teen Missing in Del. River

By Peter Mucha, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Aug. 30–As of 2 p.m., today’s search has proved fruitless for a teen who went missing last night in the Delaware River off National Park.

Ryan Lewis, 17, of West Deptford, disappeared while trying to swim from shore to aid friends who phoned him from a motorboat that had become stranded on a sandbar, according to Dennis Kappler, public information officer for the Gloucester County town.

Police learned of the situation shortly before 9 p.m., and a search was launched that involved the Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, the Delaware River Port Authority, and police and fire departments from local municipalities. A Philadelphia police helicopter took part, as well.

Five boats and a dive team renewed the search at about 9 this morning, concentrating on the area near No Name Island, where the teen disappeared.

“Our experience tells us he’s probably 150 to 200 yards in either direction from where he was last seen,” Kappler said.

The island lies south across the river from the Philadelphia Naval Business Center.

The tidal currents in the area can be strong, he said. “It does at times have a tendency to become pretty fast and swift.”

Part of the search will include a dragging operation.

The three friends in the boat, a pleasure craft about 16 feet long, were all safely rescued, Kappler said.

Alcohol is not suspected to have been involved.

Contact Inquirer staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.

Staff writer Jan Hefler contributed to this article.

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