TRR photo by David Hulse Amid ongoing unsuccessful resuscitation efforts, Eldred American Legion volunteers prepare to transport Gilberto Guio to the hospital on July 6. (Click for larger image)

Holiday weekend claims one on the river locally

By DAVID HULSE and TOM KANE

BARRYVILLE — Sweltering holiday temperatures sent thousands scurrying for the water last weekend and made life busy for area rescue crews.

A 56 year-old resident of the Bronx drowned in an apparent late afternoon swimming accident on July 6 at the Highland Department of Environmental Conservation access north of Barryille.

Witnesses said Columbian national, Gilberto Guio, was in the water with a friend near the boat ramp road at the access, when the non-swimmer apparently stepped off a submerged ledge into deeper water.

Angler Johan Cebrallos of Queens, said he was about 50 yards upstream when he saw Guio flailing his arms and sinking as Guio’s friend called out for help.

Cebrallos said the water was murky enough that Guio could not be seen immediately.

Other boaters at the access were called to help search. Gary Ward, of Burlingham, said he paddled his raft downstream to help, while his companion called the authorities.

He said Cebrallos pulled Guio ashore as State Trooper Tim Dowling and Town of Highland Constable Marc Anthony arrived. Dowling, Anthony and American Legion Ambulance volunteer Tony LaRuffa began resuscitation efforts as they awaited the ambulance.

Guio never regained consciousness and was later pronounced dead at the Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis.

“I wish I could have helped him. I tried,” Cebrallos said later.

National Park Service spokesman Al Henry said the death was the second this year and the first drowning at the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

Downstream at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area, there were two river deaths during the holiday week. A 77 year-old Bangor, NJ man, Fred Irwin, died of unknown causes after his canoe capsized on July 1.

On July 4, 13 year-old Otoniel Villanueva of Rahway, NJ drowned after jumping out of a boat during a fishing trip. It was the first Water Gap drowning of the year.

Henry said there had been several other serious incidents locally including a near drowning involving three campers at the Kittatinny Minisink site on July 4. Two children, ages 6 and 8, and a 45 year-old male all required rescue. The children chased an errant ball into the river and overly deep water. The adult attempted to rescue them but wound up joining them in jeopardy. Relatives effected a rescue with a life jacket tied to a skip-rope, Henry said. All those involved later refused medical treatment.

Also on July 4, Damascus Ambulance Corps rescuers were called to a near drowning in the early afternoon at the Kellams-Stalker bridge. Camper, Jin Won Kang of Wayne, NJ apparently escaped without injury and also refused medical assistance.

On July 5, tuber Gloria Steckowich, 62, of Carlstadt, NJ was seriously injured when she fell approximately 40-feet from ledges at the Hawks Nest. According to authorities, Steckowich apparently became separated from her river party and tried to exit the river by climbing the ledge shortly before 7:00 p.m. Steckowich was said to be in critical but stable condition on July 7 at the Westchester Medical Center.