Authorities in Northampton County have identified the man who drowned over the weekend at the point where the Lehigh and Delaware rivers meet in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Andre Fighera, 48, of Bethlehem, died Sunday, June 21, in the area near the rivers’ confluence, the Northampton County Coroner’s Office confirmed Monday.
An investigation into the death determined that Fighera drowned, and the manner of death was ruled accidental.
According to Easton Fire Chief Henry Hennings, witnesses reported seeing someone enter the water near the falls in the 100 block of Larry Holmes Drive at around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. Fighera was not wearing a life jacket or any other type of personal flotation device at the time, the chief said. He did not resurface after going under.
Crews searched the water and recovered Fighera’s body at approximately 5:40 p.m., about an hour after he was first seen going into the river.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Easton police, Easton EMS, PA Water Rescue, and the Palmer Township Municipal Fire Department. The Northampton County Coroner’s Office also sent personnel to the scene as part of the investigation.
Second Drowning in a Week Prompts Renewed Safety Warnings
Sunday’s incident marks the second drowning in the Easton area within a single week. On June 14, a 45-year-old man from Palmer Township died in the Delaware River under separate circumstances.
That earlier death led city officials to issue public warnings urging caution for anyone spending time near or in the local waterways.
Chief Hennings noted that the Easton Fire Department typically responds to about 20 river rescue calls each year, underscoring how frequently emergency crews are called to the rivers that run through the city.
The confluence area, where the Lehigh River meets the Delaware River, is known for strong currents and uneven depths that can catch swimmers and waders off guard, especially near the falls.
Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances that led to Fighera entering the water, and no further information about his background or family was immediately available.
Community Reaction and Ongoing River Safety Concerns
The back-to-back drownings have renewed concern among Easton residents and city leaders about safety along the rivers, which are popular spots for fishing, kayaking, and simply cooling off during the warmer months.
With summer underway and temperatures rising, officials are expected to continue emphasizing the importance of wearing life jackets and avoiding swimming in areas with fast-moving water or known hazards like the falls near Larry Holmes Drive.
Local agencies have not announced any new safety measures or restrictions following the two recent deaths, but past warnings from city officials have focused on personal responsibility, including avoiding alcohol while near the water, staying within designated swimming areas where available, and never swimming alone.
The Northampton County Coroner’s Office said no further updates are expected at this time, as the investigation into Fighera’s death has been closed with the ruling of accidental drowning. Friends and family of Fighera have not yet released any public statements.
As of Tuesday, no additional incidents have been reported along the Lehigh or Delaware rivers in the Easton area, though authorities continue to encourage caution given the recent string of water-related deaths in the region.
