Authorities say 17-year-old Allentown resident Ameer Simmons died Thursday, May 28, after he jumped from a railroad trestle into Jordan Creek. Bystanders and emergency crews pulled him from the water, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lehigh County Coroner later ruled his death an accidental drowning.
Investigators said the jump happened near the 300 block of Basin Street and triggered a large, multi-agency response that included the Allentown Fire Department dive team, Allentown EMS, the Lehigh County Drone Team and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, as reported by WGAL. Witnesses tried to reach Simmons before dive teams and other rescuers arrived.
An autopsy completed Friday found drowning was the cause of death and the manner was ruled accidental, the coroner's office said. Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio offered condolences to the family and urged residents to "keep a close eye on one another" and avoid unnecessary risks around natural waterways, as reported by NBC10.
Why Jordan Creek Can Be Dangerous
Jordan Creek's depth and current can shift quickly, and authorities point to previous drownings and near-misses along the waterway. In 2025 another Allentown teen was pulled from Jordan Creek and later died, and city rules prohibit swimming in some waterways, according to LehighValleyNews.
Nationally, nearly 900 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 die from unintentional drowning each year, a number that puts local incidents like this in sobering context, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh. Coroners and first responders warn that cold water, submerged hazards and sudden currents can make creeks dangerous even on warm days.
Officials' Safety Advice
State safety agencies advise against jumping from bridges or trestles, recommend life-jacket use for boating and caution about cold-water shock and hidden debris, per guidance from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Officials also tell people to supervise swimmers closely, carry a phone and call 911 immediately if someone goes under.
The coroner's office and Allentown police continue to review the circumstances, and anyone with information is asked to contact authorities, as reported by WGAL. Simmons' death remains a stark reminder to treat urban waterways with caution as summer approaches.
