Telford man dies a hero after jumping into Lake Nockamixon to save 2 children.
A 37-year-old Telford man lost his life Thursday night after he rescued two children who appeared to be drowning at an Upper Bucks state park.
Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas was reportedly fishing at Nockamixon State Park around 4:30 p.m when he saw the children apparently struggling in the water, according to Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck.
The unidentified children were swimming in the Tohickon Creek near the cliffs area, Wesley Robinson, a spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said. Swimming is prohibited in the creek and at the lake.
Chicas jumped into the water and pulled the children to the shore, when he began to struggle and disappeared under the water, Robinson said. Divers recovered his body in Lake Nockamixon shortly before 7:30 p.m., he added.
Robinson did not have any information about the condition of the rescued children, including their ages, or if they received any medical treatment.
The children he rescued were not related to Chicas, who is originally from Honduras, Buck said.
An autopsy confirmed drowning as his cause of death, which has been ruled accidental, Buck said.
"Our office extends its deepest condolences," Buck said. "It is very tragic. He died a hero."
The drowning death is the second confirmed in June in the Central Bucks area.
Nine-year-old Joey Malcolm Jr. died on June 19 after he drown in a neighborhood pond in New Britain Borough while he was fishing, authorities said. His death was also ruled accidental.
Bristol Township police are attempting to identify a man who went missing in the Delaware River on June 27 while allegedly attempting to steal a Pontoon boat. His body has not been recovered.
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Man drowns in Lake Nockamixon last night after saving two children
