Wrongful Death Trial in Case of Woman Who Died Following Jersey Shore Polar Bear Plunge Begins

The family of a Philadelphia woman who died after attending a Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Isle City alleges she was alive when first responders declared she was dead without first examining her, philly.com reports.

The parents of Tracy Hottenstein filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2011, alleging negligence among other charges, according to the report. Hottenstein’s body was found near a pier in Sea Isle City a few hours after she participated in the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Feb. 15, 2009.

She died of hypothermia. Claims against the town, ambulance corps, police and bars and individuals who served her alcohol have been dismissed, according to the report.

The trial that was set to begin on Wednesday will focus on the trauma team’s response, according to the report.

Read more at philly.com.