04/01/2013
 
State Police Perryville Station requested the assistance of the Marine Services Bureau in locating a missing person on Round Valley Reservoir as a result of a one vessel accident.  The vessel , list as vessel #1, was found swamped  east of the North Dam approximately  120 yards from shore , while still at anchor during forecasted high winds.  The owner was missing and the surface of the water was covered with debris from the vessel.  The individual was apparently fishing at anchor when the canoe succumbed o the waves from the high wind conditions.
 
Witnesses, working at the North Dam Tower reported seeing the canoe become swamped and observed  an individual in the water.  They lost sight of the victim and they did not see anyone exit the reservoir on the near windswept shoreline.
 
State Police Perryville Station  secured the canoe and its' contents on the shore near Old Mountain Rd, East of the North Dam.  An Immediate aerial search, surface search, shoreline search ad side scan underwater search were all negative.
 
Investigation revealed a vehicle and canoe trailer parked in the parking lot at the main Round Valley public boat ramp.  The victims mother and girlfriend were contacted via telephone.  They advised he was not believed to be fishing with anyone else.  He was known to fish by himself and at different locations.  Girlfriend advised he left their residence at approximately 0500 hours.  She provided photo  ID  and physical description including tattoos for the victim.
 
A continuation of the search  with side scan underwater detection and T.E.A.M.S North resulted in the recovery of a deceased male (later identified as victim #1).  The victim was found to be wearing hip waders and was submerged in the water(approximately 7 feet deep and 100 feet from the anchored canoe.  he victim was not wearing a PFD.
 
Hunterdon County Medical Examiner's Office Investigator responded and removed the body to Hunterdon  Medical Center for a schedued morning post-mortem  Examination.
 
Tuesday -4/02/2013
Post-mortem exam revealed nothing suspicious and death to be accidental. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation as a result of drowning. Toxicology  results pending.
 
Investigation revealed: Accidental drownin due to falling overboard.  The victim was not wearing  a PFD and had hip waders on when he entered the water.  The waders were suspected of filling with water and pulling the victim under, making swimming almost impossible.  here was no apparent damage to the canoe.
Clinton Twp