NJ Man Dove Into Lake To Save Kayakers In Distress And Never Came Out, Police Say

PENNSYLVANIA — A man from Bergen County died on Sunday while trying to rescue two people whose kayak overturned in the Poconos, police said.

The Pocono Mountain Regional Police said that Bibin Michael, 40, of Meadow Court in Norwood, died in the incident that took place shortly before 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Police were called to the lake off of Sir Bradford Road in Camelot Forest, in the community of Blakseslee in Tobyhanna Township, they said.

Police said that about 20 people were staying at a rental near the lake. Two adults went into the lake in a kayak offered by the rental. They were wearing life vests, police said.

Witnesses said the pair were on the lake for approximately 5 to 10 minutes when it got windy. The kayak flipped over and they fell into the lake.

While they were trying to hold onto the kayak and get to shore, other family and friends heard them call for help, police said.

Michael jumped into the water to save them, "But unfortunately halfway between the shoreline and the kayak, Michael went under and did not surface," police said.

Rescue and dive teams were dispatched and recovered Michael. The coroner’s office arrived and pronounced him dead.

"He saved his friend from drowning in a lake," wrote one acquaintance on Monday. "Bibin was more than just a leader; he was a compassionate soul, always ready to help others and stand up when it mattered most."

Michael was the owner of AAA Wealth Builders LLC in Englewood Cliffs.