Swimmer’s body found off Second Avenue beach
Young man went missing after 5 p.m. yesterday
The body of a beachgoer who went missing yesterday has been found in the ocean off of Second Avenue beach, fire department chief Kevin Keddy said.
Asbury Park Police Chief Mark Kinmon has identified the man as Chazmin Miles, 23, of Irvington.
The young man entered the water just after 5 p.m. yesterday, presumably in an attempt to rescue his younger sister, who was caught in a rip current, authorities said yesterday. His sister and three others were rescued by head lifeguard Joe Bongiovanni and fellow lifeguard Patty Landers.
The lifeguards were assisted by the Asbury Park Fire Department, the United States Coast Guard and the regional ANSWER water rescue team last night. This morning, starting at 8 a.m., a state police boat equipped with side scan sonar started a pattern sweep of the area, Keddy said.
“That system can cover a lot of area in a very short amount of time compared to divers,” he said. “The visibility was pretty good.”
Bongiovanni also set out on a jet ski to search the shallow water near the jetties for the body, Keddy said.
The body was located with sonar about 100 yards straight off Second Avenue after about 90 minutes of searching, Keddy said. Fire department divers Nick Marino and Brett Nilson entered the water to recover the body, which was submerged about 15 feet.
The body was taken to the Shark River Hills Coast Guard Station. The young man’s next of kin is being notified, Keddy said.
“Never swim at an unprotected beach,” Keddy said. “Know your limitations and respect the ocean.”
The last time a swimmer went missing in Asbury Park was almost two years ago, in August 2010, Bongiovanni said yesterday.
For the full story on last night’s incident and subsequent search efforts [pictured above], click here.