Boardwalk Worker, Seaside Heights Rescuer Save Pair From Rip Current; Two Men Ticketed

A Seaside Heights Beach Patrol vehicle. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The work of a combination of civilians and rescue workers in Seaside Heights led to two victims of rip currents being brought to safety Wednesday night, officials said. When they got back to shore, the men were issued summonses for swimming without a lifeguard present.

Seaside Heights police received a call at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday reporting two swimmers in distress at the Sumner Avenue beach, Detective Steve Korman said. The pair got caught in a rip current and were being taken out to sea.

By the time officers arrived, one victim had been pulled out of the water by an employee of the Sand Tropez clothing shop on the boardwalk who stepped in. Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Lavallette water rescue teams arrived, and Seaside Heights deployed a diver into the water to secure the second victim until a jet ski could be deployed in order to bring the victim to the safety of the shoreline, Korman said.

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Both victims were evaluated by the Tri-Boro first aid squad and refused any further medical treatment. Both victims – Damien Ruiz, 18, of Jamesburg and Jason Chirieoga, 19, of East Brunswick, were issued summonses for violating a borough ordinance that prohibits swimming without lifeguards present.

The name of the boardwalk employee who assisted in the rescue was not available.