Rockaway man, 18, dies after ocean rescue in Sea Bright

SEA BRIGHT – An 18-year-old swimmer who was rescued from the ocean after being caught in a rip current Monday has died, authorities said Tuesday.

Kevin C. Searfoss of Rockaway died about 11 p.m., hours after being pulled from the ocean, said borough police Chief John Sorrentino.

He said Searfoss and a friend were caught in a rip current Monday afternoon. After seeing the pair struggling, bystanders at the beach near 1500 Ocean Ave., which is unguarded, alerted lifeguards from nearby Driftwood Cabana Club.

Lifeguards quickly pulled the friend out of the ocean, but when they returned, they could not find Searfoss for about 20 minutes. When they located him, “he was in very, very serious condition,” said Sorrentino.

The lifeguards performed CPR and took Searfoss to Monmouth Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. Searfoss’ friend was not injured.

Karen Yi writes for the Asbury Park Press, a sister paper of the Daily Record: 732-643-4277