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The first rescue of a pair of swimmers from rough surf came Saturday, Sept. 16 off Sylvania Avenue beach and was led by ANSWER — the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders water rescue team.
At 9:22 p.m., the ANSWER Team responded to Avon for a report of someone yelling for help, the team said on Facebook.
Upon arrival, two swimmers were spotted in distress as they had been pulled far from the beach in a rip current, the team said. Rescue swimmers from ANSWER and an Avon-by-the-Sea police officer entered the water to attempt the rescue. "Despite significant difficulty due to the darkness and the rough conditions, both victims were rescued and brought to shore," ANSWER wrote. The victims did not report any injuries and were examined by EMS on scene and later released.
"Without the witnesses who reported hearing the yells for help, the quick response of rescue swimmers, and the immediate deployment of resources, this could have easily become a tragedy," ANSWER said. "Once again we need to urge all those visiting the beaches in our area to stay out of the water when lifeguards are off-duty, which is the case at all beaches in our area. It's especially critical to stay out of the water after dark during rough seas, as was the case in this incident."
A surfer rescued a distressed swimmer off an Avon beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19 before the ANSWER team took over, according to news reports.
A swimmer in distress near the Norwood Avenue beach about 200 feet offshore was called into Avon-by-the-Sea police about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Avon police Capt. Tony Pecelli told the Asbury Park Press.
Members of the ANSWER team brought the swimmer safely to shore, Pecelli told the outlet. Avon rescuers took the victim to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, app.com said.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, there was an unconfirmed report of a rescue of a distressed boater off Avon. Avon-by-the-Sea police were not immediately available for comment.
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