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By Jen Maxfield
(Union-WABC, June 4, 2003) — A high school field trip has apparently ended in tragedy. A senior from Union High
in New Jersey is missing after his raft capsized on the Delaware River.
It was a class trip his family didn't know he was on. He had forged a permission slip because his family thought
river rafting was too dangerous.
Obinna Okoro was last seen floating on a raft on the rough waters of the Delaware River. When the raft capsized
into the 50 degree water, Obinna's girlfriend and two others made it to shore. But he was gone.
Rescue workers in Sparrowbush, New York, were using boats and helicopters to search for Obinna along the river
and in the surrounding woods. So far they've found nothing. Obinna was not wearing a life jacket, and neither were
his friends.
And Patrick Okoro knows that his son is not a strong swimmer.
Patrick Okoro, Father: "I told him, 'You're from Africa!' And he said, 'Oh dad, I know how to swim.' I said,
'You swim in the swimming pool!'"
That's exactly why Patrick refused to sign the permission slip for his son's whitewater rafting trip, which says
that the trip may result in "injury or illness or death."
Union High School does have a signed copy of the permission slip. Obinna's father says there's only one explanation,
his son forged his signature.
Theodore Jakubowski, superintendent of the Union School District, said in a written release, "The prayers
of the entire school district go out to the family. School officials remain hopeful that ... [he] will be found."
At Obinna's house this afternoon his friends and family were waiting for a call they know may never come. A call
from Obinna saying he's lost, but alive.
Obinna's father hopes that all schools will learn from his son's example. If they're going to sponsor risky field
trips, he says parents should be required to give their permission in person or on the phone. Somehow make it harder
for students to fool the system.
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