Another Swimmer Dies At Jersey Shore; Woman Found In Asbury Park

An unconscious woman who was pulled from a Monmouth County beach this week has died, police said.

Erin Higgins, 42, of Harriman, New York, has died after she was pulled from the Asbury Park beach near Deal Lake Drive on Wednesday, police told The Asbury Park Press.

She was swimming when rip currents were causing dangerous swimming conditions along the coast because of Hurricane Jose.

Higgins' death was also the 31st water-related death to happen in New Jersey since May.

Read more: 31 Die In New Jersey Water Deaths Since May As Trend Continues

Higgins was found around 3:11 p.m. after authorities were alerted that two swimmers were in distress in the water near the beach, according to the report. Ronald Renshtie, 54, of Wallkill, New York, was located on the beach, and two firefighters entered the water in search of Higgins.

The man was swimming in chest-deep water with Higgins when they got caught in a current, according to the report. They attempted to swim back to shore but kept getting pulled farther out into the water. Paramedics were able to initially regain a pulse on Higgins, but police said she died on Thursday morning.

Attempts to rescue the woman proved difficult due to the currents, Fire Department Spokesman Garrett Giberson Jr. told The Asbury Park Sun. A tidal push brought woman closer to the shoreline, allowing firefighter Christian Stevens to assist in bringing her ashore.

The unresponsive woman and her male companion were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune by the fire department, according to the report.

Patch file photo