WILDWOOD CREST – The body of the swimmer who went missing May 31 was found in the early morning hours June 4, police said.
Alfred Williams, 19, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was found on the beach at Palm Avenue in Wildwood Crest.
Police said they notified the family and the medical examiner’s office.
Williams went missing after he and his friends got caught in a rip current around 4 p.m. May 31 in Wildwood.
The four men needed to be rescued off Andrews Avenue beach. They were found 150-200 yards out, officials said.
One swimmer managed to make it out of the water on his own. Two were successfully found and rescued, but Williams remained missing. Officials said they never had eyes on Williams.
A multi-agency response attempted to find Williams. Wildwood Fire Department Chief Ernie Troiano told 6ABC that Sea Tow assisted with sonar and the Coast Guard provided a helicopter and swimmers to advance the search.
Without success, the recovery operation was suspended mid-day June 1.
“The local response and collaborative efforts of multiple local, state, and private agencies was instrumental in providing maximum coverage of the search area. It is a terribly sad ending, and our condolences go out to the family and friends of the young man,” stated Lt. Dan Nelson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Cape May.
No lifeguards were on duty at the time. Wildwood Beach Patrol does not begin daily staffing until mid-June, with coverage only provided on the weekends.
The Coast Guard urged swimmers to familiarize themselves with rip current safety before they enter the water and to only swim under the supervision of lifeguards.
Alfred Williams, 19, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was found on the beach at Palm Avenue in Wildwood Crest.
Police said they notified the family and the medical examiner’s office.
Williams went missing after he and his friends got caught in a rip current around 4 p.m. May 31 in Wildwood.
The four men needed to be rescued off Andrews Avenue beach. They were found 150-200 yards out, officials said.
One swimmer managed to make it out of the water on his own. Two were successfully found and rescued, but Williams remained missing. Officials said they never had eyes on Williams.
A multi-agency response attempted to find Williams. Wildwood Fire Department Chief Ernie Troiano told 6ABC that Sea Tow assisted with sonar and the Coast Guard provided a helicopter and swimmers to advance the search.
Without success, the recovery operation was suspended mid-day June 1.
“The local response and collaborative efforts of multiple local, state, and private agencies was instrumental in providing maximum coverage of the search area. It is a terribly sad ending, and our condolences go out to the family and friends of the young man,” stated Lt. Dan Nelson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Cape May.
No lifeguards were on duty at the time. Wildwood Beach Patrol does not begin daily staffing until mid-June, with coverage only provided on the weekends.
The Coast Guard urged swimmers to familiarize themselves with rip current safety before they enter the water and to only swim under the supervision of lifeguards.
