41-year-old man found dead in water at Hopatcong State Park after apparent paddleboarding incident
ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A 41-year-old man was found dead in the water at Hopatcong State Park in Roxbury Township on Sunday after bystanders spotted an unattended paddleboard and alerted a lifeguard, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
A potential drowning was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. Aug. 16 after bystanders observed the unattended paddleboard and notified a nearby beach lifeguard. The lifeguard then alerted first responders about a possible drowning involving the man.
Authorities believe the man had been paddleboarding in an area of the beach that was not supervised by lifeguards, according to the prosecutor’s office.
A multiagency search followed, and at approximately 7 p.m., the man was located deceased in the water by the New Jersey State Police Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists unit.
The response included New Jersey State Park Police, NJSP TEAMS, NJSP Marine Services, Roxbury Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Emergency Services Unit, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Roxbury Fire Department, Parsippany Rescue & Recovery and Long Valley First Aid Squad.
An examination will be conducted by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The incident remains under investigation by New Jersey State Park Police and New Jersey State Police. Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time.
