June 15, 2021 — Updated

By: Tyler Eckel

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– A person was found dead in the Delaware River early Tuesday afternoon in a possible accidental drowning. Rescue crews were dispatched to Arm & Hammer Park, 1 Thunder Road, around 2:00 pm on a reported person in the water. The victim was quickly pulled from the water and pronounced dead on the scene.

Detective Lieutenant Peter Szpakowski of the Trenton Police Department told MidJersey.News that an off-duty Trenton Firefighter, Akyse Watkins, was in the area and flagged down by a concerned citizen. The off-duty Firefighter jumped into the river, retrieved the body, and swam back to the shoreline.  While on shore,  off-duty firefighter Akyse Watkins began CPR until EMS and Trenton Fire Department arrived on scene.

Trenton Fire Department and EMS along with Capital Health Paramedics, Trenton Police, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and Mercer County Prosecutors Office responded to the scene.

Detective Brian Jones is conducting the investigation, Detective Lieutenant Szpakowski said.

---

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

---

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

---