News Crew Films Man’s Drowning

A television news crew working on a story about a flooded river happened to be on hand to witness, and tape, the drowning of a canoeist.

WCBS-TV reporter David Diaz, cameraman Manny Badillo and the man’s companion watched helplessly Tuesday as he struggled to hang on to a log or his canoe and then disappeared at the base of a small waterfall in the Raritan River. He had gone over the falls deliberately, thinking he could make it.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old James J. Thomey, of Keyport. The search for his body was suspended at nightfall and resumed this morning.

Police Lt. Kevin Cornetto said Thomey had rented a canoe with a companion, 39-year-old Angelia Pionegro of New York City.