Newtown Fire Rescue Extends Condolences In Wake Of Tyler Park Tragedy

NEWTOWN, PA — Newtown Fire Rescue on Wednesday expressed its "deepest condolences" to the family, friends, and colleagues of Alec Campbell, a 38-year-old resource ranger who died last Friday after his kayak capsized in the Neshaminy Creek at Tyler State Park.

"We stand in solidarity with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as they mourn the loss of one of their own," said Newtown Fire Rescue Chief Glenn Forsyth in a statement released Wednesday.

During the three-day operation, Forsyth reported that Newtown Fire Rescue coordinated closely with multiple partner agencies to locate and recover Campbell from the Neshaminy Creek. The rescue efforts, he said, included rescue personnel, boats, underwater drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, helicopters, and sonar.

"The water conditions and location of the incident presented considerable challenges, but the collective effort demonstrated the strength and dedication of our emergency response community," said Forsyth, who extended his department's gratitude to the agencies that helped support the effort.

They included Pennsylvania DCNR rangers and staff, Pennsylvania State Police, Northampton Township Fire Department, Newtown Emergency Medical Services, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad, Upper Makefield Fire Company, Lingohocken Fire Company, Yardley-Makefield Fire Company, New Hope Eagle Fire Company, Point Pleasant Fire Company, Newtown Township Police Department, North Penn Good Will and the Bucks County Emergency Services.

"The strength and unity displayed by all responding agencies were instrumental in bringing resolution to this difficult mission," said Forsyth. "We are proud to have served alongside such capable and compassionate partners. We encourage members of the community to keep Ranger Campbell’s family and the DCNR in their thoughts during this time of loss."

At its Wednesday meeting, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors offered a moment of silence for Campbell, a husband and father of two young sons from Delaware County and an avid outdoorsman.

Campbell was working to secure the dam when tragedy struck on Friday around noon, said Chairwoman Elen Snyder, who commended the Newtown emergency services and surrounding departments for their response to the incident.

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