Multiple Swimmers Pulled From Ocean Co. Rip Currents: Officials – Toms River, NJ Patch
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Authorities have responded to multiple water rescue calls for swimmers caught in rip currents on Monday, prompting warnings from authorities to stay out of the ocean.
The calls started at 11:30 a.m. in Lavallette and continued into the afternoon. Information on injuries was not immediately available for most of the calls.
The Seaside Park Station 45 Volunteer Fire Company chronicled the calls on its Facebook page:
Two swimmers were pulled from the Atlantic Ocean at Magee Avenue in Lavallette.
A third swimmer was pulled from the water at Bathing Area 1 at Island Beach State Park. State officials said the 40-year-old man was conscious and refused medical treatment.
At 1:25 p.m. five swimmers were rescued at the 21st Avenue beach in the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley Township.
At 2:13 p.m. there were separate reports of swimmers in distress at the L Street and M Street beaches in Seaside Park.
At 2:39 p.m. there was a call to the Hiering Avenue beach in Seaside Heights for a swimmer in distress.
The Seaside Park Fire Company said the Seaside Heights, Ocean Beach (Toms River), and Lavallette fire companies, Tri-Boro First Aid, Lavallette EMS and Island Heights EMS all responded to assist with the calls. It said “several patients” were taken to the hospital.
Additional details weren’t immediately available. Messages left for Lavallette police were not immediately returned.
Several Jersey Shore beaches are remaining open through late September, but there are no lifeguards present during the week, authorities have said. Read more: Summer Is Extended At Jersey Shore With Lifeguards — And Fees
The National Weather Service Mount Holly office forecast warns of dangerous rip currents through Tuesday afternoon.
“Stay out of the ocean. There are life-threatening rip currents,” the Seaside Park post said.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office had a similar message, both on Facebook and delivered via Nixle alert.
Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.