SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — Four people were caught in a rip current Thursday afternoon, with one man later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Ship Bottom Police Department, Ship Bottom Fire Department and Surf City Fire and EMS responded to East 21st Street at approximately 2:28 p.m. for a report of individuals caught in a rip current.
Three of the four people had already made it out of the water and were on shore when emergency responders arrived.
One person, David Maldonado-Ocelotl, 28, of Forked River, remained missing in the surf.
Fire rescue personnel, with the assistance of local surfers, located Maldonado-Ocelotl in the water unconscious and not breathing.
Life-saving measures were immediately initiated on scene.
He was transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.
