Rescuers locate body of woman who helped rescue young girl in Delaware River
Multiple agencies are assisting with the search.
More Stories
The body of a woman who went missing in the Delaware River after pushing a young girl to safety in Burlington County on Monday has been found.
Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos, 33, was found at 8:15 a.m. about 20 feet from a beach at Amico Island Park in Delran.
According to a statement from Burlington County officials, crews first responded to the area Monday afternoon following reports of two possible drowning victims. When police arrived at the location, they learned that an adult woman had gone into the Delaware River in an attempt to rescue a young girl who was struggling in the water.
“The woman was able to push the girl toward the shore, where bystanders pulled her safely from the water. During the rescue, the woman went underwater and did not resurface,” county officials said.
Rescue workers from Delran, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, the Camden County Dive Team and the Philadelphia Police Department assisted with the search, which was suspended Monday night and resumed Tuesday morning.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., the body of Alvares Pereira Dos Santos was located. Authorities said, “The circumstances involving this incident are not believed to be suspicious. The investigation into the incident is ongoing and will further be conducted by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
Amico Island Park will remain closed Tuesday for the investigation.
