Swimmer drowns at Lavallette seashore on Jersey Shore, chief lifeguard says

Janet Garrison and Tippy Muller watched the 39-year-old man struggling about 25 yards offshore. They each known as 911 for assist.

“I saw a man going ‘Help help.’ I ran to the water, started shaking my hand to let him know somebody’s here to help you,” mentioned Janet Garrison, who was visiting Lavallette from Warrington, Virginia.

“When I came down the hill, he was screaming, ‘Please help me, someone please help me,’” mentioned Tippy Muller, who lives in Lavallette.

The two girls and one other man determined in opposition to going into the boiling surf to try to assist as a result of it was simply too harmful.

“I said maybe if we get enough people we can make a chain. Obviously, we couldn’t do that,” mentioned Garrison.

Around 5 minutes handed between the 911 calls and the arrival of the primary rescue Jet Ski.

“By the time our officers got here, we couldn’t see him shortly after they saw him partially submerged face down in the water,” mentioned Lavallette Police Chief Christian LaCicero.

Beach replenishment initiatives on both facet of Lavallette created difficult situations all summer time lengthy, mixed with the aftereffects of Hurricane Erin. Three individuals have been rescued on this very spot on Sunday. Last week, News 12 confirmed how shortly the ocean drops off simply steps away from the dry sand. On Tuesday, indicators warn of the hazard on Route 35 out and in of city.

“This could be one of the most frustrating days that I’ve been as a lifeguard captain because we kept everybody out all week. We had a rescue here, a line rescue on Sunday. We knew the area was dangerous,” mentioned Lavallette Beach Patrol captain Jack Caucino.

“It was a terrible feeling. I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget hearing him yell,” mentioned Muller.

Police inform News 12 they’ll add patrols on ATVs and quads in the course of the day alongside Lavallette seashores to try to maintain individuals out of the water.

There are not any plans to shut the seashores.

Guarda will return this weekend for Founders Day.