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A New York City firefighter drowned Friday in Jersey Shore while trying to save his teenage daughter from a power surge.
FDNY identified the firefighter as 39-year-old Mark Batista, a 15-year veteran who worked for a Brooklyn fire station. He previously served as an EMT.
Mark Batista had been with the FDNY for 15 years. (FDNY)
According to the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER), multiple units on Sylvania Ave Beach responded to reports of two swimmers in distress around 8:38 a.m. Friday in Avon-by-the-Sea.
A female pup was rescued and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for evaluation. Rescue workers searched for the other missing swimmer using divers, jet skis, boats and a drone.
RAMS DEFENSE COORDINATOR RAHEEM MORRIS REUNITS WITH 3-YEAR OLD HE SAVED FROM DROWNING
A US Coast Guard helicopter located the missing swimmer just before 10 a.m. and pulled him out of the water. EMS treated the swimmer and transported him to JSUMC, but he did not survive.
“We are heartbroken to hear of the death of firefighter Mark Batista, who died Friday while swimming at the Jersey Shore,” FDNY spokesperson Amanda Farinacci Gonzalez said in a statement to outlets.
“Fireman Batista was a dedicated officer who served 15 years in the FDNY, both as an EMT and as a firefighter. We join his family in mourning his tragic passing.”
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The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office later on Friday warned beachgoers not to enter the water if lifeguards are not on duty.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues and much more.
