BUSHKILL, Pa. — Crews are still searching for Jose Madera-Martinez at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The National Park Service says four men went into the river on the New Jersey side around 8 p.m. Thursday night, about a mile north of the Interstate 80 toll bridge.
Park officials say the 19-year-old from New Jersey was last seen struggling in the current before disappearing under the water.
"The current is swift in this area. There is a section of rapids below," said Kathleen Sandt, National Park Service. "What the swimmer was trying to do is swim from the shoreline to the old bridge abutments that are out in the middle of the river."
Sandt says one of the swimmers made it to the shoreline, while two others were rescued by Portland Hook and Ladder Company Thursday evening.
Water levels have risen two feet in the Delaware River since the men went in, which officials say is making search efforts more challenging.
"When we see rises in the river like that, it brings colder water. It brings more murk and mud and debris. It makes things cloudier and harder for our rescuers. Conditions are not safe for our diver team to be in the water when the river levels are up right now," Sandt added.
Park officials say signs are posted here at the Karamac trailhead alerting visitors that there's no swimming here.
None of the swimmers were wearing life jackets when they when into the river from the Karamac area of the park.
Sandt says swimming is not allowed at Kittitany Point or the Karamac trailhead, which are known for drownings.
"They're tied for number one for the most drownings we've had in the park each. Both of them have had 11 drownings since the park has been keeping data in the 1970s," Sandt said.
Crews will keep searching into Saturday if Madera-Martinez is not found.
Officials say the weather could impact the search this evening.
As of now, the Kittatinny Boat Launch is closed while crews are on the water.