Tragedy in Belmar, NJ
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34369)
June 19, 2017 2:29pm CST
Tragedy in Belmar, NJ
I just wanted to post this news for those living near or going to the shore this summer. I live in this town and there are numerous rescues and drownings along the Jersey Shore due to rip currents. There was a moderate rip current reported when this tragedy occurred. Here is a summary of what happened.
Two elementary school girls were pulled from the water by the coast guard after being reported missing on Thursday evening. Both students attend Belmar Elementary School. The two girls were unresponsive and rushed to the local hospital where the 13-year- old died, while her 12-year-old cousin still remains on life support.
There was no lifeguard on duty at the time the girls went missing. The lifeguards are usually off the beaches by 5:30-6 pm. This is a tight knit community and efforts are being made to raise funds for the families. Ironically, lifeguards had come to the Elementary school to discuss water safety as they do around this time each year.
8 people like this
7 responses
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Jun 17
Geez, just a bad scene all around. Hope their family can recover, as well as the school.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Jun 17
@dgobucks226 - Sounds like they obviously weren't paying attention to the lifeguards when they gave their presentation.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458192)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 17
@dgobucks226 I knew that the nickname of NJ is "The Garden State". I think I missed several beautiful states, unfortunately after my husband retired we do not travel a lot anymore.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34369)
•
21 Jun 17
Thanks, the location there is the central/southern part of the state where it is a big tourist destination in the summer. But we also have parts of the state that grow beautiful flowers and produce. We are nicknamed "The Garden State." 
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
19 Jun 17
They should have left at least one on guard at the beach to keep watch and do actual rescue and never took a chance. It's sad and ironical but there could also be negligence, that's for investgation to find out
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
20 Jun 17
@dgobucks226 over here the parents would be liable in that case since the persons involved were minors, they should not be there at those time unaccompanied , but that's our law and they might have a different one over there.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34369)
•
20 Jun 17
@louievill That's a good law, and it would help to make sure the parents are aware of their children's whereabouts.
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 Here in Florida there are a lot of beaches that do not have life guards. I only go to the ones that do have them as besides watching the people in the water they are also trained to look for sharks in the area.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
19 Jun 17
Oh goodness that is so awful. =( I will keep the families in my prayers.
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
9 Dec 18
@dgobucks226 That is just terrible. I'm feeling so bad for both girls. R.I.P to the 13 year old. What about the 12 year old? Did she make it? 
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
11 Dec 18
@dgobucks226 I'm sorry she didn't make it either. I can't even imagine the fear and fighting for a life while being trapped in a rip. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34369)
•
13 Dec 18
@VivaLaDani13 So true! It happened to me once and I was not out to far from shore. Fortunately, after being pulled under a couple of times, I was able to free myself from the current and get to shore. I really thought I was in serious trouble.
Their parents must of felt devastated by the news.
Their parents must of felt devastated by the news.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34369)
•
10 Dec 18
Sadly she did not. People get caught in rip currents along the shore more than we think. And going in the water after dark without lifeguards is extremely risky. A horrible way to learn a lesson
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