At Least 30 NJ Water Deaths Since May After Weekend Tragedy

What has become a heartbreaking trend in New Jersey continued this weekend when a man drowned in the rough Atlantic Ocean surf as his wife and young son watched. Two others also drowned on Sunday, meaning that at least 30 people have died in water-related incidents since May.

The tragedy happened just as the ocean continued to be plagued by rip currents after Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina and South Carolina this weekend. In many of the cases that have happened this summer, rip currents were the culprit. Or they entered the water without a lifeguard present.

Earlier in the week, Gov. Phil Murphy took note of the rip currents from Hurricane Florence when, echoing remarks former Gov. Chris Christie once famously made, he said: "Please, may I ask you to get off the beach? Pretty please? Use your head."

Murphy and other officials warned that New Jersey should expect rising sea levels and strong rip currents that would be life-threatening to swimmers.

In the Seaside Heights case, a 44-year-old New Brunswick man drowned on an unguarded beach early Saturday evening despite efforts to save him, Seaside Detective Steven Korman said.

Police responded to a 911 call from someone who saw the man get slammed by a wave at 7:15 pm. Three police officers who went into the water at the Fremont Avenue beach to save him reported a strong rip current at the location, Korman said.

Read more: Man Drowns In Rough Surf On Unguarded Seaside Heights Beach

In Hazlet, meanwhile, two men died while trying to save another, with one man yelling for help.

Read more: 2 Swimmers Die While Trying To Save Somebody In Hazlet: Cops

The trend since May has prompted some health advocates to remind people about the importance of being safe while swimming. The Salvation Army and the Red Cross have even joined forces, putting together a program that provides swim lessons and water safety training that are intended to be affordable.

New Jersey doesn't require lifeguards at hotel and motel pools, and a number of incidents have involved unguarded swimmers. Concannon, however, said people should always swim with a guard present.

"People need to learn to swim," Diane Concannon, a spokesman for the New Jersey Red Cross, said. "Parents need to keep an eye on their children. People need to always keep their children at arm's length. Always swim with a lifeguard present."

Here is what has happened since May:

Man Drowns In Princeton Lake: Police

An unidentified man drowned in Lake Carnegie in Princeton in August, according to police.

Police were notified that a man had jumped into the lake off of the dock near the boat launch and disappeared after swimming for a few moments, Princeton police said. Three officers arrived at the lake about three minutes after receiving the 911 call, and searched the area where the man was last seen.

Boy Pulled From Crystal Springs Water Park Pool Dies: Officials

A 7-year-old boy who was pulled from the water at Crystal Springs Family Water Park in August died several days later, officials say.

East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen made the announcement on social media, saying: "It is with the deepest regret that I must report the passing of the young boy who was involved in the swimming accident a little over a week ago at Crystal Springs Water Park, East Brunswick."

"I share the sentiments of the entire community in offering our prayers and condolences to the family as they enter this very difficult time," he said.

Bodies Of 2 Teens Recovered After Drowning In NJ Storm: Reports

The bodies of two teens, a boy and a girl, were recovered from a New Jersey lake after they drowned in August, state authorities confirmed.

The two drowned in Ramapo Lake in Oakland during Tuesday evening's storm, and their bodies were both recovered hours later, said Caryn Shinske, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson.

Boy, 3, Dies After Being Pulled From Pool In Howell

A 3-year-old boy who was pulled unconscious from a swimming pool later died at a hospital despite his mother's attempts to save his life, Howell police said.

South Jersey Teen Dies After Almost Drowning: Police

A South Jersey teen died in July after almost drowning in a pond over the weekend, police said.

The 17-year-old Bridgeton boy was found unresponsive after officers responded to a call about a possible drowning at Menantico Ponds in Millville, police said.

Teen Drowning Death In South Jersey As Tragic Trend Continues

The unidentified 14-year-old teen died in a South Jersey pond in July, according to police.

The incident happened after officers from Hamilton Police Department responded to the Atlantic County Park, at Weymouth Furnace, on Weymouth Road on a report of a possible drowning.

Body Found In Morris County Park: MCPO

A body was found in a Boonton park on Tuesday, June 19, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed.

The spokesperson confirmed the body of a man was found, but declined to elaborate, citing an active investigation. The body was reportedly found floating in a Grace Lord Park body of water by a fellow park-goer. Read more here...

NJ Man Killed In Delaware River Boating Accident

A 32-year-old South Jersey man was killed in a boating accident over the June 16 weekend, authorities have confirmed.

The body of 32-year-old Mark Reichman was pulled from the Delaware River in the area of Beverly City on Monday, June 18, said Trooper Alejandro Goez. His body was recovered around 2 p.m. by the New Jersey State Police Marine Service Bureau. Read more here...

Toms River Man Drowns At Manchester Lake: Police

A Toms River man drowned Monday, June 11 after he fell off a raft at Harry Wright Lake and never resurfaced, Manchester Township police said.

Luis Angel Meyo-Jimenez, 20, of Toms River, was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center, Toms River, Monday night after he was found at the bottom of the lake, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said. Read more here....

Kayaker's Body Found In Morris County Reservoir

A Totowa man was identified as the kayaker who went missing over Memorial Day Weekend in Splitrock Reservoir in Rockaway Township, New Jersey State Police confirmed.

The body of Michael Vecchiarella, 55, was recovered from the reservoir Friday, June 1, New Jersey State Trooper Alejandro Goez said. He was declared dead by the Morris County Medical Examiner's office shortly afterwards. Read more here...

Missing New Hope Man Found Dead

A New Hope man who went missing in May was found dead, police have confirmed.

According to Solebury Township Police, the body of 51-year-old William Allen Brewer was located in the canal in Stockton on Tuesday, May 29. Preliminary investigation indicates his death was accidental, according to police. Read more here...

Body Recovered In Delaware River

A body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Jersey on Saturday, May 26, police said

Around 12 noon, the body was discovered by a passing boat. The operator then notified police about the discovery, police said. Read more here...

Search Ends After NJ Man Who Fell In Delaware River Found

The search ended after eight days for a New Jersey man who went missing in the Delaware River on May 25, according to the National Park Service.

The 39-year-old man, who was not identified, went missing after his canoe capsized in the Delaware River north of the I-80 bridge, according to the National Park Service.

The man was found downstream of Portland after 8 days. The National Park Service confirmed his identity from the coroner based on dental records a few days later.

The man went missing after 3 p.m. near the site of the Karamac Bridge, according to the NPS. A woman, meanwhile, was rescued by park visitors who were in a canoe in the area and brought her to the canoe access point at Kittatinny Point in Hardwick.

She was then transported by ambulance to an area hospital, according to the NPS. Neither was wearing a life jacket, and the water temperature was measured at 62 degrees. Read more here...

Long Search Ends For Man After NJ Boat Crash

The overnight search ended for a man who went missing after a boat with five people on board overturned Monday, May 21. The five people aboard a 16-foot recreational vessel ended up in the Delaware River after the boat crashed into a wake.

The Coast Guard and State Police were searching for a man in his 20s who fell in the water near Hawk Island in Burlington County. The Coast Guard suspended the search at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22.

The Coast Guard began searching along with crews from the Philadelphia Marine Police, New Jersey State Police, Philadelphia Fire Marine, and Delanco Fire on Monday night. Read more here...

Body Of 12-Year-Old Boy Pulled From NJ Lake: Cops

The body of a 12-year-old boy was recovered from a Burlington County lake late Thursday after police said he fell in while fishing off a pier with friends.

Police and emergency crews were searching for the missing child, who was not identified, in the New Jersey lake for more than 3 hours, police said. A group of kids went into the lake around 4:49 p.m. but one did not return to the shore, according to police.

A dive team went into the water to search for the boy. The body was still submerged because of murky water conditions, according to police. Read more here...

Other incidents:

• Man Pulled From Surf City Waters On Wednesday Has Died
• Man Dies After Nearly Drowning At Duke Island Park
• North Jersey Woman Drowns At island Beach State Park
• PA Man Drowns In Normandy Beach On July 4: Toms River Police
• Man, 58, Drowns In South Jersey
• Pittsburgh Man Drowns On Ocean Grove Beach: Police
• Drowning Death In Rockaway River Under Investigation: Prosecutor
• 1 Person Killed In Watercraft Crash Near Route 37 Bridge
• Man Drowns In Ocean City After Dozens Try To Save Him
• Toms River Man Found Dead In Pool Under Pool Cover: Police
• Woman, 55, Found Dead In Swimming Pool In Mercer County: Cops

With reporting by Karen Wall and Patricia Miller

Photo: by Ocean County Scanner News, published with permission