Fisherman Rescued Off Sandy Hook Dies

HIGHLANDS, NJ — The fisherman who was swept out into the surf off Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area Wednesday morning has died, according to a National Park Service spokeswoman. The fisherman was rushed to Monmouth Medical Center in extremely serious condition, but he was pronounced dead at 9:56 a.m. today, said parks spokeswoman Daphne Yun.

The National Park Service runs Sandy Hook, a federal park. Yun confirmed that a fisherman fishing in the surf off Sandy Hook's fishing beach was pulled out to sea Wednesday morning, and had to be rescued by park rangers and others in boats.

The man was removed from the water, but he was in serious condition when he was pulled out. Sea Bright fire volunteers helped with the rescue, and were performing CPR on the man when he was brought out of the water.

He was taken to Monmouth Medical Center by EMS, said Yun, but declared dead at the hospital shortly before 10 a.m. today. His identity and where he is from have not yet been determined by the Parks Service. Middletown police department has taken over as the lead agency on this.

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