Seaside Heights officials confirmed that six swimmers were rescued and one was declared deceased at a hospital after a massive response from local firefighters and rescue swimmers played out along the borough’s oceanfront Monday night at about 7 p.m.
Dramatic video from the response, which included the aforementioned rescue swimmers, and rescuers on surf boards and PWCs, was captured by local social media page Jersey Shore Fire Response, which is embedded above. The incident occurred near the Webster Avenue beach and was blamed on rip currents that have plagued the Shore area for several days.
According to officials, first responders arrived within about two minutes of receiving the after-hours call. In all, seven swimmers were pulled from the water Monday night, however one swimmer was rescued alone prior to the major incident in which six people apparently were pulled out to sea by a rip current. The swimmers were located about 75 yards off the beach.
The swimmers in distress were methodically plucked from the water and brought to shore by rescuers, most of whom were brought to shore on a “sled” being towed by a motorized rescue watercraft (Jet-Ski). The final victim to be brought to shore was found face-down in the water and, despite the administration of CPR on the scene and a rapid transfer to Community Medical Center in Toms River, was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Additional information on the swimmers’ conditions was not available. Likewise, the identity of the swimmer who died has not yet been released publicly.
