A man is missing after a boat capsized in the Delaware River on Wednesday.
Officials say five boaters were on a 24-foot sailboat on the Delaware River near the fire academy building on the 5200 block of Pennypack Street around 8 p.m. As they were on the boat, heavy rain and wind caused it to capsize.
The boaters dropped the sails and used a motor to try and get to the Delaware River Yacht club when the boat went under. As four of the boaters swam to the shore, they turned around and saw the final passenger, a 66-year-old man, clinging to a 2x2-foot food cooler. When they looked again, they saw the cooler but their friend was missing. Investigators say the boat is missing as well.
The remaining boaters ran to the shore to get help. They described the missing man as an "experienced boater."
The U.S. Coast Guard, Philly Police Marine Unit, Philadelphia Fire Department and NJ State Police responded to the scene and are currently searching for the man. According to police, crews found the cooler on the Palymyra, NJ side of the river where the rescue efforts are now concentrated.
Police say none of the boaters were wearing life vests when the boat capsized. The water temperature in the river is currently in the low 70's, meaning it's warm enough for someone to survive a long length of time.
Officials say the rescue crews will search for several more hours by air and boat.
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