Dive teams recover body from Lackawaxen River in Seelyville
Dive teams recovered the body of a 28-year-old man in the Lackawaxen River on Monday afternoon, who had drowned while attempting to flee from the state police.
Brandon Lee Duclos, who was from Brooksville, Florida, and had recently been living in a Seelyville home, was found near the spillway behind the Seelyville Fire Department, according to a news release from Wayne County Coroner Edward R. Howell.
The coroner released the autopsy report Tuesday afternoon, ruling the death as an accidental drowning. The report states this occurred while Duclos was "fleeing and attempting to elude state police."
According to state police, troopers responded to a domestic violence incident in Seelyville on Sunday night. "A neighbor, who witnessed the altercation, reported that Brandon Lee Duclos was physically assaulting the pregnant female," police said in a news release.
When troopers entered the home, Duclos jumped out of a window, went to the river and jumped in. "Troopers observed him in the river briefly before he submerged underwater," police said. He was not immediately located due to rapidly moving waters.
His body was recovered Monday by Germania Scuba Team, based in Duryea, with assistance from the Ledgedale Dive/Rescue Team and other agencies. Pennsylvania State Police contacted the coroner's office. Howell responded along with Chief Deputy Coroner Mark M. James and Deputy Coroner Kristyna Poska.
Ledgedale Deputy Chief Doug DiPalma said that the state police located the body using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). "A highly trained swift water rescue diver from Germania was sent in to recover the victim," DiPalma said. "There were a lot of safety factors that were considered when planning the recovery. Everyone worked very well together to get the job done safely and professionally."
The river at that point meets the Seelyville dam and pours over the top in a waterfall that once powered a mill. Ledgedale Dive Captain Joe Sledzinski said it was extremely risky for divers because of the rushing water and the drop-off. The diver who went in could feel the suction from the current.
Tafton Dive Team also was on scene late Sunday night with Ledgedale. Sledzinski said that by that time they knew the victim would not have survived, and they were in recovery mode. In addition to the waterfall, the area was inaccessible for launching a boat. The state police made plans to return in the daytime with the ROV.
A diver from Germania Scuba Team, whose skills Sledzinski described as "outstanding," was the lead diver who followed the "hum" of the ROV. Normally they would follow the cord attached to the ROV, but this was not feasible.
A fire company ladder truck was extended to lower a second rope that was secured to the diver, the first rope being held by the support team on shore. Ledgedale's Paul Williams served as a backup diver, following the Germania diver down.
The victim was found on the bottom, about 27 to 30 feet from the dam. The water was nine feet deep, dark and murky.
Seelyville Fire Department was on duty. The scene is only a few steps away from the station.
"We are very grateful to all the fire companies and dive teams that assisted with the recovery," DiPalma said. "The community is truly blessed to have such highly trained professionals willing to put their lives on the line with no monetary reward."
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.
Managing editor Kathryne Rubright contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Body of Florida man living in Seelyville recovered from Lackawaxen
