2 Rescued From Jersey Shore Waters After Waverunner Capsizes

WILDWOOD, NJ — Firefighters and a Good Samaritan rescued two from the water after their Waverunner capsized Wednesday evening, officials said.

At about 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, Wildwood City Fire Department and North Wildwood Fire Department units were dispatched for a water rescue in the area of Poplar and Bay Avenue in West Wildwood, officials said. It was initially reported that a boat had capsized.

A West Wildwood police officer reported at least two victims in the water, but units could not see them in the darkness. However, they did hear someone yelling out for help in the water, officials said.

Firefighters sent three rescue swimmers on paddleboards into the water, and they found the first victim about 300 yards from the shore, officials said.

The two men had been on a personal watercraft (Waverunner) that had capsized, officials said. Fortunately, both had been wearing personal floatation devices.

The first man was secured to the paddleboard and taken to a fire department boat which then took him back to shore, officials said.

As rescue swimmers were searching for the second man, a Good Samaritan vessel found him, officials said. That vessel took him and the rescue swimmers back to shore.

Both victims were treated on scene for mild hypothermia but refused to go to the hospital, officials said.

Additional responding units included Wildwood PD, North Wildwood PD, Wildwood Crest PD (Drone Unit), Wildwood Crest EMS, AtlantiCare Paramedics, New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau and the United States Coast Guard. Sea Tow Wildwood secured the capsized Waverunner. All fire department units cleared the scene after approximately one hour.