Rip Current in Eastern Cape May, New Jersey

Time of event estimated from media reports. 19 Year old man died after he and 3 others encountered a rip current. Two others were rescued and one made it to the shore on his own.

A group of four swimmers was caught in a rip current off of a Wildwood, NJ beach late in the afternoon of May 31. Weather conditions were hot and dry, with relatively calm seas. The risk for rip currents was considered low. The beach was unguarded at the time. Following a 911 call, Wildwood firefighters rescued two swimmers, who had drifted 100 to 200 yards offshore. One reached shore on his own. The fourth, a 19 year old man, was not spotted after the initial distress call.