BELMAR, N.J. — What was meant to be an ordinary summer evening by the Jersey Shore turned into heartbreak on Friday, as a 13-year-old swimmer drowned after being pulled unresponsive from the waters off Belmar.
According to the Belmar Police Department, emergency calls began flooding in around 6:36 p.m. when bystanders spotted two juveniles struggling in the surf near 8th Avenue beach. Lifeguards had already left their posts for the day, and witnesses say panicked beachgoers tried to alert authorities as one child made it safely back to shore, while the second disappeared beneath the waves.
Within minutes, Belmar Water Rescue teams and first responders were deployed to the scene. A coordinated search began as rescue crews combed the waters under fading daylight. After nearly an hour of searching, the missing teen was located by water rescue personnel at approximately 7:29 p.m.
The child was rushed onto the beach, where lifeguards, EMS, and paramedics immediately began performing CPR and advanced life-saving measures. Despite their determined efforts, the teen was later pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Authorities confirmed the victim was just 13 years old. Their identity is being withheld at this time out of respect for the family.
A Community Shaken
The incident has rattled the Belmar community, a popular destination that draws thousands of families each summer. Parents and children who had gathered to enjoy the late-summer evening watched in horror as rescue attempts unfolded on the shoreline.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” one witness said. “The lifeguards and EMTs did everything they could, but by the time they got him out, it was too late.”
Local officials extended their condolences to the grieving family, acknowledging the weight of such a devastating loss. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this young victim,” a spokesperson for the Belmar Police Department said. “We know the community is hurting, and we ask for prayers and privacy for the family during this time.”
Concerns Over Beach Safety
The tragedy has reignited conversations about swimming safety after hours, particularly on unguarded beaches. Belmar’s beaches are staffed by lifeguards during daytime hours, but enforcement and monitoring lessen in the evenings when many families and teens remain on the sand.
Officials emphasize that swimming outside of guarded hours poses significant risks, especially for children and inexperienced swimmers. “The ocean is unpredictable,” said a longtime Belmar resident. “Rip currents can form quickly, and without lifeguards, it’s dangerous for anyone to be in the water.”
Authorities have not yet said whether rip currents played a role in Friday’s drowning, though the conditions during the search were described as “challenging.”
Investigation Ongoing
The Belmar Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning. It remains unclear whether the juveniles entered the water unsupervised or were accompanied by adults at the time. Officials said they are reviewing emergency call logs, speaking with witnesses, and assessing whether additional safety measures may be necessary in the wake of the tragedy.
In the meantime, safety officials are urging beachgoers to observe posted warnings, avoid swimming after hours, and remain vigilant, especially with children.
A Summer Marked by Grief
The drowning marks yet another tragic reminder of the dangers of the Atlantic surf during peak summer months. Communities along the New Jersey coastline have faced several water-related emergencies this season, underscoring the importance of ocean safety education and strict adherence to lifeguard hours.
For the family of the 13-year-old, however, those warnings come far too late. What began as a warm evening at the beach has ended with unimaginable loss, leaving loved ones and the wider Belmar community struggling to come to terms with a young life cut short.