The recent drowning of a Paterson teenager who had been swimming at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and a separate drowning of a teen at the so-called Devil’s Hole in Cedar Grove, have highlighted the dangers of swimming in undesignated, unsupervised waters.
John Kennedy, Cedar Grove chief of police, said, “While this area has some scenic beauty to it, it’s also extremely dangerous and treacherous for people that wander into the area, who don’t really understand what it is underneath that body of water.” More security measures are being put into place at Devil’s Hole, including cameras that send a live feed to police.
Safety experts are urging people heading out for a swim to stick to lifeguarded beaches and pools, and to always wear a lifejacket when on the water away from emergency responders.
