Man Dies After Rescuing Kids From South Jersey River: Reports

MAYS LANDING, NJ — A man has died after rescuing two children from drowning at a popular South Jersey park, where swimming is prohibited, according to reports.

Two boys, ages 8 and 12, were swimming in the Great Egg Harbor River at Weymouth Furnace when they began struggling in the water, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Pablo Hernando Cruz, 49, went in to pull them out but went under himself, CBS News Philadelphia reported. He was able to get the boys back to shore, but the Mays Landing native was hospitalized in critical condition and later died, according to the report.

The 12-year-old was treated at the hospital and released, while the 8-year-old was transferred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, according to NBC.

Cruz was an "amazing father, husband, and cook," according to a GoFundMe launched by his family.

"Pablo worked tirelessly on making improvements to their home, fixing their cars, and just doing all the little things that a father and husband does; all of the things that we take for granted," the GoFundMe reads.

Weymouth Furnace, a county park, is a popular spot for tubing, kayaking and canoeing, but swimming is not permitted. Signs are posted, in both English and Spanish, warning visitors against swimming.

Back in 2021, a 23-year-old man drowned at Weymouth Furnace, Patch previously reported.