Ocean County Man Dies in Ship Bottom Rip Current
Ship Bottom, N.J. — An Ocean County man died after apparently being caught in a rip current Friday afternoon off of Long Beach Island.
Three Swimmers Escaped, One Missing
The Ship Bottom Police Department said its officers, along with the Ship Bottom Fire Department, Surf City Fire, and EMS crews, responded to East 21st Street at about 2:30 PM for a report of four people caught in a rip current.
At the scene, authorities found that three of the four had already made it out of the water and were on shore while 28-year-old David Maldonado-Ocelotl of Forked River remained missing in the surf.
Fire rescue personnel, with help from local surfers, located Maldonado-Ocelotl in the water, unconscious and not breathing.
Life-saving measures were immediately initiated; he was then taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Third Recent Ocean-related Tragedy at the Jersey Shore
Friday's tragedy marks the third ocean-related death or disappearance at the Jersey Shore in less than three weeks.
On Memorial Day weekend, a 20-year-old Hofstra University student disappeared after reportedly being knocked off a boogie board by a wave near 10th Street in Ocean City; his body has not been recovered.
Earlier this week, 14-year-old Davoris Carter of Philadelphia went missing in the ocean off Wildwood while on a school trip. Carter remains missing despite an extensive search involving local first responders, the Coast Guard, and New Jersey State Police.
Actions to take if you are caught in a rip current
Gallery Credit: Sophia Laico
The Wildwoods, not your average Jersey Beach town.
Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy
Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com
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