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Folks Plunge Into Delaware River Despite Snow, Cold

By Hadas Kuznits

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) - A polar vortex didn't keep people away from a Polar Bear Plunge into the Delaware River Saturday.

The 2014 Plunge took place at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Bucks County, even though the river was iced over and snow was falling.

Folks who jumped in told KYW Newsradio the plunge can be described with one simple word: "Cold."

"It's a little chilly," one of the brave souls who jumped in said. "I've got frozen snow everywhere!"

"Oh my gosh, I can't feel my toes, still," said this jumper.

"This is my third year jumping in the river, this is by far the coldest. There's never been ice in the river before," another jumper added.

Batallion Chief Chris Adams of the Bensalem Rescue Squad says they encourage folks to get in and out, because this cold weather can be quite dangerous:

"Well, obviously hypothermia. I mean, you can get hypothermic really quick in weather that's a lot warmer than this so we're just concerned that everybody gets out of their wet clothes and gets warm right away."

Some folks aren't worried about the dangers, though:

"Because I'm an athlete and all the money goes to help all my other friends as athletes and stuff."

"We're freezing for a reason!"

Proceeds from the Polar Bear Plunge benefit the Special Olympics.

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