Pocono News Section

Man Drowns in Susquehanna River

Man Drowns in Susquehanna River - Monday, May 31, 2010 at 04:01AM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday May 31 2010
Police are investigating how a Lycoming County man drowned in the Susquehanna River over the weekend.

Police say 50-year old Richard Gallo, of Avis, accidentally drowned while swimming in the Susquehanna River Sunday evening.

Gallo's body was discovered just down stream from the Susquehanna Campground in Piatt Township.

The mood was subdued Monday at the camp ground near Jersey Shore.

Police are still not releasing much information detailing how Gallo died.

They have classified it as an accidental death.

Neighboring campers say Gallo went swimming near a place known as Crane's Ripples around seven Sunday evening- and never came back.

Mike Gharet, of Avis, said, "Everybody was looking for him for awhile and they called the rescue team because they couldn't find him. They thought maybe he went up to somebody else's camp or something else. And I guess they found him down there in the river."

Some campers say they saw Gallo drinking alcoholic beverages before deciding to take a dip in the river.

State police have neither confirmed nor denied that information.

Gharet noted, "You can't be intoxicated and go swimming because the current in the river is pretty strong. I mean it's deep, the undertow and everything. The current will take you right down in the ripples, like where they found him. It's pretty strong down there."

People camping here say they're being exta careful around the river following Gallo's death.

Gharet added, "You know, it's a tragedy, it's sad, hate to see that happen to anybody."

An autopsy will be performed on Richard Gallo's body.

Those results could take several weeks.