By TOM LIDDY, Wires
Posted: 4:26 am
July 20, 2008
A college student from Staten Island enjoying a camping trip upstate drowned while trying to cross the Delaware River, authorities said yesterday.
Salvatore Valenziano Jr., 20, was swimming with four childhood friends Friday evening near Minisink Ford, Sullivan County, when they tried to traverse the 200-foot-wide river to Pennsylvania, police said.
His pals made it to the other side, but Valenziano, who had just finished his sophomore year at Florida International University in Miami, was sucked under by the strong current.
The Tottenville resident's buddies pulled him to shore and administered CPR, but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
"He's probably the most caring person in the world," said Valenziano's grieving brother, who requested that his name not be published. "He would always be there for his family and . . . for anybody in need."
