Central Regional Freshman Helps Save Three Men Trapped In A Rip Current

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Nikolas DeVoe is well on his way to becoming a lifeguard.

The Central Regional High School freshman, who lives in Seaside Heights, was one of two teens who saved three men from drowning in a rip current on an unguarded Seaside Heights beach Friday night.

He and his friend Thomas Picurro wanted to go surfing. But when they heard screaming from the beach, they jumped into action, DeVoe's mother Trisha told app.com.

"There was three men being pulled out in the rip current, screaming for their lives," she said. "My son immediately dropped everything and started running towards the men, and his friend Thomas started following."

Seaside Heights Beach Patrol Chief Jay Boyd said the lifeguards were off duty for the night when the incident occurred. Seaside Heights had already begun guarding beaches during the weekdays and weekends, but the guards were only on duty until 5 p.m., he said.

Nikolas is already a member of the Seaside Heights Junior Lifeguard Academy and the Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps program at Central.

"Cadet DeVoe distinguished himself by displaying heroism under hazardous conditions," according to a post on the Central Regional Family Facebook page. "His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of Central Regional JROTC, JROTC and The United States Army."

He pulled one man to shore and turned back for another swimmer. Nikolas, Thomas and a third surfer rescued all three men.

"When Thomas got to the third man, who was pulled the farthest out, he had got him just as he was going under," Trisha DeVoe said.

Swimmers don't belong in the ocean when lifeguards go off duty, Boyd said.

"Those gentlemen were just very fortunate that they were in a populated area," Boyd said.

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Photo: Courtesy of Central Regional Family Facebook page.