UPDATE: Tyler State Park Employee Missing In Creek

UPDATE: Tyler State Park To Remain Closed As Search For Missing Ranger Continues

UPDATE: 6:07 p.m., Friday:

Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the missing state parks employee is a 38-year-old man from Delaware County.

Troopers, who often aid Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resource rangers with investigations, said they are probing the incident.

UPDATE: 4:18 p.m., Friday:

A Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesperson said the missing kayaker is a park resource ranger.

The park will remain closed “until further notice,” the department said.

Sources at the scene said the park employee was believed to be using the kayak as part of their duties at the park.

According to public information, a park resource ranger assists park visitors, delivers presentations, directors visitors, inspects facilities, and assists with park management and safety.

The search was ongoing as of 4:30 p.m.

Original Story:

A large rescue operation was underway Friday afternoon in the Neshaminy Creek after a kayaker was reported missing at Tyler State Park.

Emergency crews were dispatched just before noon to the boat house area of the park following a report of a kayaker who was in the water. Within minutes, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers, local police and firefighters were on scene, attempting to locate the individual, according to officials at the scene.

As of 1:30 p.m., the search remained active with additional crews continuing to arrive.

Newtown Fire-Rescue was joined by boats from the Bucks County Special Operations Team, Northampton Township Fire Department, the New Hope-Eagle Fire Company, and the Upper Makefield Fire Company.

Water rescue crews established rigging to enter the Neshaminy Creek, which has experienced several days of rain, near the dam.

Crews were reported to have requested underwater an camera to aid in the search.

Park rangers began clearing Tyler State Park around 12:45 p.m. and had the state park closed by 1:15 p.m. Police and rangers turned away parkgoers at the entrances in Newtown and Northampton townships.