Seaside Heights Implements Beach Closures After Drowning Incident

Seaside Heights Beaches Close Early on Bad Surf Days

Mayor Anthony Vaz announced on Tuesday that Seaside Heights will begin closing its beaches earlier in order to avert other tragedies after a man perished on Monday night when a group of swimmers were entangled in rip currents.

To reach more people, the borough will also put signs in Spanish warning of rip currents and advising people to avoid the sea while lifeguards are not on duty, Vaz added.

Detective Steve Korman, spokesperson for the Seaside Heights Police Department, said Tuesday that a 31-year-old Trenton man died Monday night after he and four other persons were dragged from the beach after being entangled in a rip current.

According to the Mayor, the man's name has not been made public until his family has confirmed that the next of kin has been notified.

Investigators state the group entered the ocean after lifeguards had left for the day. Lifeguards leave duty at 5 p.m. in Seaside Heights and at the majority of Jersey Shore beaches.

Also per Mayor Vaz , the borough now closes access to the beach at 7 p.m. Depending on the state of the ocean, a decision will now be made every day regarding whether or not people are allowed to remain on the beach past 5 p.m.

"On calm days we'll close the gates at normal times," Vaz stated. However, visitors will be removed from the beach earlier on days when the borough's beach supervisor decides that the surf conditions warrant keeping people out of the ocean when lifeguards are on duty.

"We're not closing the beach to close the beach," Vaz stated. "We just don't want more problems, particularly with the currents we've had this summer."