Body of Folcroft man found in Darby Creek

The body of a 26-year-old Folcroft man was found in Darby Creek yesterday afternoon more than 14 hours after he fell into the fast-moving water in the dark.

A friend jumped in to try to rescue the victim Saturday night, but the current was too strong - estimated at 8 knots, Folcroft Patrolman Dan White said.

The Delaware County medical examiner had not released the dead man's name yesterday afternoon. Police said he had been drinking beer with his brother, his sister, and the friend when he apparently slipped and fell in about 10 p.m. in Montgomery Park. Officials said they did not know if he was drunk.

The park was closed because it was after dark.

Boats from four fire departments and the Chester Police Department's dive team searched until 4 a.m. to no avail, White said.

"The current, even for the rescue divers, was extremely tough," the patrolman said.

Folcroft police resumed the search at 6 a.m., and the boats went back an hour later to drag the river. A PennStar helicopter and trained dogs joined the hunt.

The body was discovered 100 yards downstream at 12:20 p.m. by an Eddystone Fire Company boat.