Man Pulled From Harry Wright Lake Dies: Manchester Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Lakewood man who was pulled from beneath the surface of Harry Wright Lake in Manchester has died, police said Tuesday.

Santos Chacon-Hernandez, 35, died early Tuesday morning at Community Medical Center in Toms River, Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Chacon-Hernandez received CPR after members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and the Manchester Career Fire Department rescued him when he went under the surface of the lake, Manco said, but police were notified at 5 a.m. Tuesday that he had died.

Chacon-Hernandez, Rojelio Chacon, 43, and Ever Mejia-Chacon, 27, also of Lakewood, were swimming from one side of the lake to the other shortly after 4 p.m. Monday when all three got fatigued, Manco said.

Rojelio Chacon and Ever Mejia-Chacon were helped to shore by good Samaritans who saw them struggling in the water, but they could not find Chacon-Hernandez, Manco said.

Rojelio Chacon was alert and conscious and was taken to Community Medical Center by Manchester EMS for further evaluation, he said. Ever did not require additional medical treatment, he said.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Manchester Police Department Patrol Bureau, Manchester Investigations Bureau, Manchester Career Fire, Manchester EMS, Whiting Volunteer Fire, Manchester Volunteer Fire, and Robert Wood Johnson paramedics.

It remains under investigation, Manco said, but the preliminary investigation indicates the drowning was accidental, he said.

"The Manchester Township Police Department would like to remind the public that swimming across Harry Wright Lake is prohibited, and that swimming or bathing is only authorized when lifeguards are present," Manco said. "The Manchester Township Police urge the public to abide by these township ordinances for everyone’s safety."