Belmar, NJ (WABC) — At Ocean County’s beach haven, swimmers formed a human chain — with a helicopter overhead and boaters nearby. Despite their best efforts, a 24-year-old man died in the rough surf.
In Belmar, police confirmed that six swimmers were rescued around 6pm on Sunday.
Chizzy Meremikwu told Eyewitness News he was in the water when he saw the powerful waves engulfing unsuspecting swimmers.
“The tide was coming. That’s when they were pulled in. They were yelling ‘Help, help!’ from behind and everyone was running out of the beach and calling for the lifeguards,” Meremiko said.
CPR was performed on the beach and the three were eventually taken to hospital.
“Everyone on the beach was silent. Family, kids. Everyone was in stagnation. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Joshua Davis said.
“The current can get pretty strong. If you’re not the strongest swimmer, it will drag you out,” Nuri Dilworth said.
Rip currents and huge waves were reported up and down the Jersey Shore.
At Seven Presidents Beach they reduced the swimming area.
Meremikwu is thankful to be closer to the coast.
“There were big waves and strong currents,” he said.
Weather-wise, it was a perfect day for cooling off at the beach, however, the currents were not cooperating.
ALSO READ | Questions about aging NYC infrastructure after water main burst reveal troubling answers
———-
* Get Eyewitness News
* More NJ News
* Send us a news alert
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching videos or photos, terms of use apply.
