For the second day in a row, the Panther Valley area is mourning the loss of one of its own.
Noah Krynock, a 20-year-old Summit Hill man, died last night in an apparent drowning near the entrance of Lehigh Gorge State Park in Jim Thorpe.
Carbon County Coroner Bruce Nalesnik said Krynock was swimming with friends in the Lehigh River at the Glen Onoko boat launch area near a railroad trestle in the park when he disappeared in the water.
Conflicting reports from witnesses also state that Krynock had jumped from the trestle prior to disappearing.
Nalesnik said that it was reported that Krynock began to have problems in the water. One of his friends tried to assist him, but his friend's attempts were unsuccessful.
Dave Madl, park manager for Hickory Run, Lehigh Gorge and Nescopec state parks, said Krynock entered the water at about 7 p.m.
"He was swimming at the Glen Onoko access, and he apparently tried to swim across river and had problems," Madl said. "His friends who were there with him tried to help, but were unable to."
Divers entered the water around 8 p.m. to search for Krynock.
After several hours, at 10:05 p.m., the Whitehall Dive Team recovered Krynock's body a short distance down stream from where he was last seen.
Nalesnik was called to the scene around 10 p.m., where he later pronounced Krynock dead.
He said an autopsy will be performed, but no schedule has been set.
Hickory Run Park Rangers are investigating.
Numerous emergency personnel responded to the incident, including the Jim Thorpe Police Department, the Jim Thorpe Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department and Whitehall Fire Department water rescue teams, as well as park rangers, volunteers and Lehighton Ambulance.
Krynock is a son of Heidi Hricisin and John Krynock of Summit Hill and a 2010 graduate of Panther Valley High School.
This was the second tragedy in Glen Onoko in the past two days.
On Sunday, Lee Kenneth Mantz died after falling off a cliff.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm the bad guy here. Grieving??? REALLY? HA, OK. Well, check out WFMZ and the comments on there. "nobody did nothing to save him." "he didn't swing from no rope." These people publicly posted the comments opening up the opportunity for a rebuttal and with that, they got mine. Instead of posting good times they shared with this young man or maybe posting that he's in their thoughts and prayers, they make comments literally bashing volunteer services for "not doing nothing." Grieving or not, it's rude and unappreciative of the efforts the volunteers set forth. They pointed fingers at the volunteer services and I rhetorically pointed the finger back--- Right, wrong or indifferent.....
The end result remains the same and there isn't anything that can be done to change that. it's unfortunate, sad and a horrible way to leave this earth. I truly feel for this young man and his family.
His friends posted their opinions, I posted mine and you posted yours. Tomorrow is a new day...
@ cjbg2012.....I have to be honest in stating that your comment that Noah's friends didn't do enough to save their friend is not only cold and heartless but also cruel. I personally know some of those young adults that attempted to save their friend and for you to make those comments is truly appalling. If you think that those kids are not replaying the events of that tragic day in their minds over and over and questioning if they could have done more to save their friend you are sadly mistaken. Unfortunately this is something that will continue to haunt them. It is in fact very tragic that someone so young and loved lost their life but to say that his friends didn't do everything they could is wrong. Those kids are beating themselves up and are overcome with grief and anger. Did it ever occur to you that the comments they made in regards to the volunteers that responded are coming from those emotions over the loss of their dear friend Noah. Really what is wrong with YOU in 2012 to say such things about people you don't know over a tragic event you did not witness.
While the situation is sad and unfortunate that a young man lost his life, the numerous drownings at this same location should be a warning sign for anyone that it is dangerous. Yet, they chose to ignore the rules and regulations and sadly, with that, comes consequences.
I have to be honest in stating that it was brought to my attention that the victim's "friends" picked apart everything the volunteer services did. I am originally from the "coal region" and completely understand the devotion the volunteer services give their community. To hear that so many volunteer individuals came out for this rescue to be ridiculed on the sidelines is sickening to me. These volunteers risk their lives, unpaid. They train for situations like this water rescue. Things take time, and I am truly sorry to those ignorant people who thought that they "weren't doing enough." Quite frankly, maybe you didn't do enough to save your friend. But that's cool that you stand on the sidelines watching others risk their lives and instead of applauding their efforts, you express negative comments literally to their faces? What is wrong with this world in 2012?
What IS wrong with this world in 2012 when a person can write a comment as this one written by cjbg2012. The writer feels the need to defend the "unpaid volunteers" whom may not have entertained the alleged ridicule simply because they recognize the position they place themselves in when trying to do the best they can. As these volunteers attempt to save a life, they too are experiencing the stages of stress and confusion which further contributes to onlookers emotional responses. As written within the other comment, people handle stress and tragedy in ways that are unfamiliar to them when they have the opportunity to look back and reflect on what occurred, to include their actions. "Quite frankly" I am convinced cjbg2012 does not have any experience in these types of responses and the atmosphere present on scene at these incidents. Do I condone any negativity towards first responders/volunteers NO, and I do understand that loss of control to do anything to save a life is devastating to a person and the outcome is and always will be others believing someone did not do enough just as cjbg2012 writes, " Quite frankly, maybe you didn't do enough to save your friend."