In a devastating incident near the Jersey Shore, a New York City fireman lost his life on Friday while bravely trying to save his teenage daughter from a treacherous rip current.
The firefighter, identified as Mark Batista, a 39-year-old veteran with fifteen years of experience serving at a Brooklyn station, tragically succumbed to the dangerous waters. Mark Batista had previously worked as an EMT, showcasing his commitment to public service.
Upon receiving distress calls regarding two individuals in peril, a multitude of emergency units from the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER) swiftly mobilized and raced to Sylvania Ave Beach in Avon-by-the-Sea at 8:38 a.m. on Friday. Remarkably, one young girl was successfully rescued and promptly transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for immediate evaluation. A comprehensive and rigorous search operation ensued, employing divers, jet skis, boats, and a drone, all focused on locating the whereabouts of the second missing swimmer.
Shortly before 10 a.m., a Coast Guard helicopter spotted the missing swimmer and promptly retrieved him from the turbulent ocean. Despite receiving immediate medical attention and transportation to JSUMC, the swimmer, tragically, did not survive.
Expressing profound sorrow, FDNY representative Amanda Farinacci Gonzalez issued a statement to media outlets, conveying the heartbreaking news of Firefighter Mark Batista’s untimely demise. She emphasized that Firefighter Batista, who had served both as an EMT and a firefighter within the FDNY for 15 years, was a dedicated public servant. The FDNY stands in solidarity with his grieving family during this incredibly difficult time.
Later that day, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook, urging beachgoers to exercise caution and avoid entering the sea in the absence of lifeguards on duty. The remainder served as a somber reflection on the tragic event that unfolded earlier.