Crime & Safety

Swimmer Dies At Jersey Shore Beach, 2nd Swimmer Survives, Police Say

The North Jersey man was brought to shore by the Seaside Park Fire Department's water rescue team, police said.

SEASIDE PARK, NJ — A North Jersey man died after being pulled from the water in Seaside Park, one of two swimmers who prompted emergency responses on Saturday, authorities said.

John DeVone, 54, of Whippany, was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center in Toms River after the incident, Seaside Park Police Sgt. Andrew Casole said.

A bystander on the beach saw a man who appeared to be in distress at the 8th Avenue beach and called 911 when she lost sight of him, at 11:52 a.m., Casole said.

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The fire department's water rescue team responded and brought DeVone to shore, he said. DeVone was unresponsive and rescuers started CPR before he was taken to the hospital, Casole said.

The second incident was reported at 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, Casole said, when a woman was reported to be in distress at the 13th Avenue beach.

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The water rescue team was deployed but the woman, who was not identified, was able to swim to shore on her own, he said.

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