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The Asbury Park Fire Department responded to a 9:30 p.m. Wednesday report of a distressed swimmer off the Fifth Avenue beach, department spokesman Garrett Giberson Jr. said.

And while responders arrived within minutes of the call, they could not immediately find a victim, he said. Having confirmed that a victim did enter the ocean, the search was quickly moved north to match the rapidly moving current.

Capt. Michael Disbrow, who located the distressed male swimmer between Sixth and Sunset avenues, was able to pull him to safety. Once on shore, the man, later identified as Joshua O’Donnell, 32, of Metuchen, became combative, Giberson said.

He was taken into custody by the Asbury Park Police Department before being transported by the fire department’s EMS to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for evaluation.  

Police Department spokesman Sgt. Michael Casey said “Once at the shoreline, O’Donnell began to shout at the emergency personnel and, at one point took, a threatening stance while shouting in the face of a fireman on scene.  He continued this behavior while raising his arms in a violent manner at the numerous police officers on scene.”

The U.S. Coast Guard responded and all units were cleared by 10:30 p.m., Giberson said.

O’Donnell was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, pending a future court appearance, Casey said.

“It was discovered that O’Donnell was under the influence of alcohol as well as depressed,” Casey said.

The distressed swimmer call was the second of its kind within two days.

On Monday firefighters responded to a 3:05 p.m. report of three distressed swimmers in the ocean. The rip current had carried swimmer past the protective jetty.

Help came from Sayreville resident Chris Davis who helped rescue one of the swimmers and from firefighters Ryan Matthews and John Anastasia who rescued another. The third swimmer also reportedly made it back to land safely.

Giberson again warned the public not to swim in unprotected water, particularly in this case, at night.

“Do not swim when lifeguards are off duty, when beaches are unprotected, and especially at night” he said. “You don’t have depth perception in the dark. It is extremely dangerous especially with the rip currents we have at the Jersey Shore. People don’t realize that by going into the water they are putting themselves and the first responders at risk.”

All of the Asbury Park firefighters are trained in water rescue, Giberson said.

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