Officials confirm body found in Delaware River is that of missing boater
PENNS GROVE, N.J. (WPVI) -- Early Monday morning, officials confirmed that a body found in the Delaware River Sunday night is that of a missing boater.
The search began around 2 p.m. Sunday in Penns Grove, N.J., Salem County, when two men were on the river in a small boat.
According to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife, the men were in a 12-foot flat boat that left off a backyard dock in back of a residence. Neither man was wearing a life vest.
The men went to check on a crab trap. At some point witnesses say the boat capsized.
One man was able to make it back to shore, but the other did not.
Family members have identified the missing man as 38-year-old Frank Montana, Jr. They say the victims are cousins.
Multiple agencies, including eight boats and trained divers searched for the victim Sunday.
A helicopter hovered over the river to assist the crews.
Steve Krupski says both men in the boat are his cousins. He fought tears while watching rescue efforts.
He said, "Frank has a stent in his heart. He had a heart attack a few years ago and has had panic attacks."
A growing crowd of family, friends and strangers watched on as crews searched the river.
"I just hope and pray they find him. It's a sad day," said Rachelle Newmuis of Penns Grove.
The search area spanned from the Delaware Memorial to the Commodore Barry Bridges. The visibility was so low that divers relied heavily on sonar equipment.
Montana was an avid fisherman.
"That's all we talk about when striper season comes, when are we hitting the water? We would be the first ones out there, sun up until sun goes down," said Krupski.
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