Middletown Man Drowns Swimming At Ocean County Beach:Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- A Middletown man drowned Wednesday while swimming in Ortley Beach, Toms River police said.

Matthew Mauro, 46, was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was taken after being pulled from the water, said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

A swimmer in distress at Fielder Avenue at Ocean Avenue was reported at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday, Messina said.

While Toms River police were responding, Seaside Heights Beach Patrol units responded on jet skies and brought Mauro to shore and began CPR, she said.

Toms River officers, Seaside Heights Beach and Fire units, Tri-Boro First Aid, Toms River Police Department community service officers and Robert Wood Johnson paramedics all assisted with resuscitation efforts on Mauro before he was taken to the hospital and pronouced dead, Messina said.

Toms River does not staff the beach with lifeguards after Labor Day, but Seaside Heights is continuing its lifeguards for a few more weeks.

The investigation is continuing, she said.