Two people were rescued from the water in the Intracoastal Waterway off Poplar Avenue in West Wildwood after their personal watercraft capsized.
The Wildwood Fire Department reported that at approximately 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Wildwood and North Wildwood fire department units were dispatched to the area of Poplar and Bay avenues in West Wildwood on the report of a capsized boat. Wildwood Squad Co. 3 arrived and was informed by West Wildwood Police Department officers on the scene that at least two people were in the water. Units had no visual of the individuals in the darkness but could hear someone in the water yelling for help.
The fire departments deployed three rescue swimmers on paddleboards to locate the individuals. The rescue swimmers located one man in the Intracoastal Waterway approximately 300 yards from shore. It was discovered that two men were on a personal watercraft (a WaveRunner) that had capsized. The Wildwood Fire Department said both victims were wearing personal floatation devices.
The first man was secured on a paddleboard and transferred to North Wildwood Fire Department Boat 2-1, which transported him back to shore.
The second man was located by a good Samaritan vessel as the rescue swimmers were searching. The second man and rescue swimmers were brought back to shore by the good Samaritan vessel.
Both men were treated on scene for mild hypothermia and refused transport to the hospital.
Additional responding units included the Wildwood Police Department, North Wildwood Police Department, Wildwood Crest Police Department Drone Unit, Wildwood Crest EMS, AtlantiCare Paramedics, New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Sea Tow Wildwood secured the capsized personal watercraft. All fire department units cleared the scene after approximately one hour.
