Police: NJ man drowns after refusing rescue attempts

Police say a 43-year-old southern New Jersey man drowned after he jumped off a pier into the Salem River and refused attempts for rescue.

NJ.com reports Fire and rescue crews responded to the scene in Salem shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Salem Police Chief John Pelura III says a worker at the port tossed a rope into the water for the man to save himself but he refused.

Pelura says the worker then threw in a bucket that could’ve been used as a flotation device but the man declined again.

The worker alerted the authorities after the man went underwater. Downe Township divers recovered the man’s body close to where he submerged.

Pelura says the man has been identified but is withholding his information pending notification of his family.