QUAKERTOWN, Pa. — A man drowned after rescuing two children who got into trouble while swimming at an eastern Pennsylvania state park, authorities said.
The Bucks County Coroner’s Office said 37-year-old Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas “disappeared in the water” after rescuing children swimming at Nockamixon State Park Thursday night.
The coroner’s office said Friday that the cause of her death had been confirmed as drowning after an autopsy and that the manner of death appeared to be accidental. Coroner Meredith Buck said in a statement that the office is extending “her deepest condolences” from her to her family.
Wesley Robinson, a spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the two boys were seen fighting in Tohickon Creek in the bluff area around 5:00 pm Thursday. The girls went in and carried the boys to shore, then began to struggle, Robinson said. His body was found by divers in the lake more than two hours later.
Swimming is prohibited in the creek and in the 1,450-acre Nockamixon Lake, the largest in the county, Robinson said.
Haycock Township Fire Chief Harry Grim, who said about 10 divers were involved in the search. he told WFMZ-TV that many parts of the lake are deceptive and dangerous.
“Unfortunately, people don’t follow the rules, and the sad reality is that it’s not a smooth, gradual slope underwater, and they go into a deep area, take a drink of water, and sadly die. It shouldn’t happen, but it does happen,” Grim said.
