Searchers Find Body In Water At South Toms River Park (Update)

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A body was pulled from the Toms River near Mathis Plaza in South Toms River Thursday afternoon, following a search, according to authorities and a report.

Officers from the South Toms River, Toms River and Ocean County sheriff's office were searching the park shortly after 3 p.m. after a person was reported in the water. The Asbury Park Press reported a body was recovered from the water in the area, quoting the Ocean County prosecutor's office.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy confirmed officers from the sheriff's de had assisted in the search using the department's drone and said the person was found in the water in less than 15 minutes. He could not provide further details.

Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco confirmed Toms River officers had assisted as well but he did not have further details.

Witnesses told the Patch there were several police officers and at last one K9 officer involved in the search.

This is a breaking news report and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Mathis Plaza on Route 166 in South Toms River, photo via Google Maps