The body of a Northampton man pulled from the Lehigh River March 14 has been confirmed as the person who evaded police apprehension March 13 by attempting to swim across the waterway.

According to a report from Coplay Police Department March 16, Coplay officers were notified of a pursuit in progress by Northampton Police Department and Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office. Toddrick L. Bynoe, 46, had probation violations in Lehigh County and a bench warrant for failure to appear in Northampton County Court.

Northampton officers found Bynoe at the bank of the river in Canal Street Park after he fled a home in Northampton, the report said. He entered the water and started swimming across to the Whitehall side.

Coplay Police Chief Ryan Emerich said the length of that water, from river bank to river bank, is approximately 100 feet. The depth of the water is about 20 feet.

Officers said they saw him try to grab onto a piece of a rope swing on the Lehigh County side of the river and then submerged. The river was flowing south at a dangerously fast pace, Emerich said.

Bynoe did not resurface, according to the report.

Emerich said he responded to the Lehigh County river bank and assisted with the rescue efforts. Assisting were the Lehigh County Drone Team, diving teams and fire departments with rescue boats and rope systems. Police and fire vehicles also searched the shores.

The search was called off later in the day due to weather, high winds and river depths and speed.

Lehigh County Coroner’s Office was called to the area of the 200 block of North Second Street, Coplay, approximately 4:20 p.m. March 14. Bynoe’s body was recovered from the river in about nine feet of water.

An autopsy was scheduled for March 17.

According to Coroner Daniel A. Buglio, assisting at the recovery scene were personnel from Northampton Regional EMS, Lehigh Township Fire Department, Northampton Fire Department, Pennsylvania Water Rescue, Northampton Police Department, East Allen Township Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department and Coplay Borough Police Department. Northampton police reported assistance was also offered by Carbon County Station 5.