A family swim turned tragic in Seaside Heights on Monday evening when five relatives were swept into a dangerous rip current, leaving one man dead and prompting immediate changes to beach safety rules.
According to Seaside Heights Police, the incident happened shortly before 7 p.m. on August 11, after lifeguards had gone off duty. Emergency responders rushed to the scene following reports of multiple swimmers in distress near an unguarded section of the beach.
The town’s ocean rescue team deployed a jet ski, quickly pulling all five people from the water. Three were taken to a local hospital, where a 31-year-old Trenton man was later pronounced dead. Authorities confirmed that the group had been swimming on an unprotected stretch of shoreline.
Officials say this was the second major rip current incident in as many days. Over the weekend, 12 other swimmers were rescued from an unguarded beach under similar conditions.
New Safety Measures for Seaside Heights Beaches
In response to the back-to-back emergencies, Seaside Heights officials announced a series of immediate changes designed to prevent further tragedies:
- Beach gates, which previously closed at 7 p.m., will now be locked at least an hour earlier when lifeguards are off duty, with adjustments based on surf conditions.
- Police patrols will be increased on unguarded beaches.
- Anyone re-entering the water after being warned to leave will face a summons.
Authorities stressed that rip currents can form without warning and are not limited to days with high surf advisories.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.