Good Samaritans, lifeguards rescue woman from rip current off Island Beach State Park
A Seaside Heights water rescue truck departs the Governor's Mansion in Island Beach State Park Thursday afternoon. Units were on hand at the location to establish a landing zone for a medevac, which was later cancelled. A woman pulled from the ocean was then transported by an ambulance to a local hospital. (Photo: Justin Auciello/for NewsWorks)
A woman was rescued from a rip current off Island Beach State Park thanks to the combined efforts of Good Samartians and lifeguards Thursday afternoon, a NJ Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said.
Lifeguards responded to an unguarded beach at Area 23 after receiving a 911 report of a swimmer in distress at 3:15 p.m., said DEP spokesman Bob Considine.
Upon arrival on jet skis, the lifeguards found two park visitors keeping a 34-year-old woman afloat about 100 yards off the shoreline, according to Considine.
The woman was caught in a rip current, he added.
A medevac was requested but cancelled shortly thereafter, according to emergency radio transmissions.
Tri-Boro First Aid Squad then transported the woman to Community Medical Center in Toms River. Considine did not know her condition or identity.
MONOC paramedics, the New Jersey Park Police, and water rescue units from Seaside Park and Seaside Heights also responded.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
