CUDDEBACKVILLE, NY — The swollen Neversink River claimed two lives recently, and the bodies were recovered on August 20. New York State Police said the victims were 46-year-old Mark Avila and his nine-year-old son, Marcos Avila.

The son was out on the water in a raft with a friend on August 18 when Mark saw his son fall out of the raft and into the river. Mark jumped into the river to try to save Marcos.

Another father who was on the shore with Mark was able to rescue his 16-year-old son, who was also on the raft and had fallen out, but Mark and his son were swept away by the strong current.  

The New York State Police immediately launched a search with fire departments from Orange and Sullivan counties in New York and Pike County in Pennsylvania, but were unable to locate the victims or bodies that day.

The search continued during the daylight hours for the next two days and involved more than 25 agencies. Late in the morning of August 20, the two bodies were recovered after being spotted by forest rangers from a New York Police helicopter.

Neither of the victims, who lived in Queens, was wearing a life jacket, according to police.