The body of an 18-year-old New York man apparently who went missing Friday in water off Ventnor has been recovered.
The man saved at least one friend from the ocean before disappearing in the water himself, Ventnor Police Chief Doug Biagi said Saturday.
He was identified as Jalan Alston.
“Let it be known my brother was a hero,” Alston’s brother said.
Alston’s body was spotted by two swimmers at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday in the area of Albany Avenue in Atlantic City, Capt. Joe Fussner said.
He was recovered by members of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol.
Police were called to the Victoria Avenue beach just before 7 p.m. Friday.
That’s when they saw the man about in the ocean about 50 yards off the beach at Oxford Avenue.
Two women had made it to the shore safely. A rescue the police chief credited to the missing man.
“It appears that the (missing man) assisted the other female swimmers in reaching the shore, but placed himself in further danger, ultimately sacrificing himself in the process,” Biagi said. “More details are emerging as those involved remember more after suffering such tragedy.”
Fire, police and lifeguards from Ventnor, Margate City and Atlantic City responded to the scene and searched the waters for the swimmer, Fussner said.
The U.S. Coast Guard also responded and assisted in the search.
At 8:58 p.m., the rescue operation was suspended due to darkness, but the Coast Guard continued keeping watch overnight.
Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
NOTE: This story was originally published 9:22 p.m. July 10. It has been updated to include more details.
