SHARE

Update: Firefighters Recover Body In Seaside Park

Seaside Park and Ocean Beach firefighters and EMS crews were called to Island Beach State Park on Thursday on a report of a body found in the water, authorities said.

The Coast Guard released these security images of Matt Conway, 67, of Ocean Gate.

The Coast Guard released these security images of Matt Conway, 67, of Ocean Gate.

Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic

They could not immediately confirm whether it was the row-boater who went missing on the Toms River before Tuesday's thunderstorms.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search earlier Thursday for an Ocean Gate boater who disappeared before the major storm slammed the Jersey Shore two days earlier.

With the discovery of a lifejacket and the 67-year-old man's rowboat, the search and rescue was called off -- for now.

Matt Conway's wife reported him missing Tuesday morning, authorities said.

If any new information surfaces, the search would be resumed, a spokesman for the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard released security camera photos of Conway taken shortly before he left a dock on the Toms River in a silver rowboat. 

Conway, who was known to row for exercise, was wearing the life vest in the photos as he headed out into the river, a fellow boater told Daily Voice.

His sneakers were found on the beach of Anglesea Avenue, responders said.

A State Police helicopter and fire companies in Toms River assisted with an air and water search.

to follow Daily Voice Pascack Valley and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE