More Details After Elementary School Girl Dies, Pulled From Ocean In Belmar

A juvenile is dead and another in critical condition after a swimming incident in the ocean off Belmar Thursday, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Belmar Police Chief Andrew Huisman.

At 6:19 p.m., a 911 call was transferred into Belmar Headquarters for a distressed person in the ocean. A Belmar Patrolman, along with one member of the water rescue team arrived on scene at 10th and Ocean avenues and swam out to rescue the victim, according to the MCPO.

The unconscious victim, identified as a 12-year-old Belmar female, was removed from the water and given CPR until first aid arrived. CPR continued while in-route to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township. The juvenile is listed in critical condition.

At approximately 6:54 p.m., as a search of the area was conducted, a second victim, identified as a 13-year-old Belmar female, was located unconscious in the ocean at 9111 and Ocean Avenue. Police and Emergency Personnel removed the victim and began CPR until first aid arrived and transported the victim to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, according to the MCPO.

Members from Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, The U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, Belmar Water Rescue, Manasquan Fire Department, Monmouth County Fire Marshall's Office, Manasquan Fire Department, Avon-by-the-Sea Police Department, Bradley Beach Police Department, and paramedics assisted with the search, rescue, and recovery efforts.

The incident is still currently under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Belmar Police Department.

No lifeguards were watching the beach at the time, Mayor Matt Doherty said, but police responded to the call about 6:20 p.m. Thursday. News12 said the two children's parents were not at the beach when the incident happened.

Belmar is now considering putting lifeguards on the beaches nearly every day. "Any time you go into the ocean you take a risk. So that's why it's important to swim only if there are lifeguards present," Doherty said during a press conference.

The girls attended Belmar Elementary School.

"It's terrible," Doherty told The Asbury Park Press. "As the mayor of the town, you feel responsible for the residents you serve. In a tragedy like this, one is deceased; the other is on life support — it makes you feel very helpless."

We'll have more information as it comes in.

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