Search underway for lacking 14-year-old swimmer in Wildwood, New Jersey, officers say

Rescue crews are on the lookout for a teenage swimmer in Wildwood, New Jersey, who has been lacking since Monday afternoon, officers mentioned. 

Someone flagged down a Wildwood Police officer simply earlier than 1:30 p.m. Monday looking for assist for swimmers in misery within the ocean close to Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood, a press launch from the police division, fireplace division and seashore patrol says. 

The Wildwood City and North Wildwood fireplace departments joined Wildwood police and three lifeguards on the scene, the place a number of individuals had been within the water. A Wildwood police officer helped three swimmers get out of the water, officers mentioned. A 14-year-old boy who had gone within the water was nonetheless lacking, prompting fireplace and seashore patrol crews to enter the water on rescue boards and private watercraft. The Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police and different native businesses additionally helped with the search with boats and helicopters.

After a two-hour search, beachside rescue operations ended, however marine and aviation models proceed to search for the lacking swimmer. 

One of the swimmers who was rescued was taken to an space hospital for remedy and is reportedly steady. Two others had been handled on the scene, officers mentioned. 

Officials mentioned no lifeguards had been on obligation when the 14-year-old went lacking within the water.  

“They did have an alert team, which had three personnel in headquarters that responded immediately and were deployed into the water like instantly,” Ernie Troiano III, the chief of the Wildwood Fire Department, mentioned

CBS News Philadelphia spoke with a girl who mentioned she was the teenager’s mom. They reside in Philadelphia and she or he mentioned her son was on a discipline journey to Wildwood when he went lacking. 

Troiano mentioned their rescue efforts had been up in opposition to some robust situations within the water. He added that everybody heading to the seashore ought to be sure lifeguards are current earlier than heading into the ocean.

“The rip currents are strong; they’re there,” he mentioned. “It’s Mother Nature, and Mother Nature is a very powerful thing, and the best message we can get out is do not swim when the beaches are not guarded.”