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Beach Heroes: Cops Save 8 from Jersey Shore Rip Currents

Beach Heroes: Cops Save 8 from Jersey Shore Rip Currents

Dangerous Rip Currents

According to Spring Lake Police Department, their dispatch center received a call at 2:48 PM on October 3, 2023, reporting swimmers in trouble at Sussex Avenue Beach.

Officers responded and found there were five victims in the water struggling to get back to shore. Patrolmen Joseph Liddy and James Heine, along with Chief Edward Kerr, entered the water to reach the swimmers. Four swimmers were quickly brought back to safety, while the remaining one was eventually rescued after several minutes of the officers fighting the rip current.

Spring Lake Officers were assisted in the water by a retired law enforcement officer, Spring Lake Heights Police Patrolman Matthew Bogdan, and an off-duty lifeguard. All victims were treated on scene by the Spring Lake First Aid Squad and released.

A short time later at 4:20 PM, the dispatch center received another call for swimmers in distress at the Passaic Avenue Beach. Officers responded and located three victims in the water, out past the jetty in distress.

Patrolman Joseph Liddy, along with Sergeants Sean Duggan and Christopher Kucinski entered the water to reach the swimmers.

All three were eventually brought back to shore against a strong rip current, also with the assistance of a good Samaritan surfer and off-duty lifeguard. The three victims were treated by the Spring Lake First Aid Squad and one was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for further treatment.

Also responding to both scenes to assist in the rescues were the Spring Lake Fire Department, Sea Girt Police Department and Sea Girt Beach Patrol, Spring Lake Heights Police Department, Belmar Police Department, and off duty lifeguards with the SMART Team.

The outcome would have been tragic without the actions of these first responders. It is extremely dangerous to swim in unprotected waters, especially with the rough conditions we are currently experiencing. Please stay out of the ocean unless you are a strong swimmer.

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