North Cape May Man Drowns Fishing in Erma Pond

ERMA – On June 1 at approximately 7:20 am, the Lower Township Police Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call regarding a missing fisherman in the area of the Lepor Pits Fresh Water Ponds, located off of Cresse Lane in the township’s Erma Section.
Patrol Officers responded to the area and spoke with a fisherman who stated that he had talked with an elderly male who was fishing at the pond earlier in the morning and that now he could not locate the man.
However, some of the man’s fishing equipment was now floating on the water near the spot where the man had been fishing.
The Lower Township Police Department then immediately requested the assistance of the Town Bank Fire Department’s Dive Team and the Middle Township Police Department’s Dive Team along with a Coast Guard Helicopter search of the area.
In the mean time, Lower Township Patrol Officers conducted a foot search of the vast fresh water ponds in the area.
At approximately 8:08 am, members of the Town Bank Fire Department’s Search and Rescue Dive Team located the missing man in approximately 12 feet of water.
The victim has been identified as Peter C. Mosero, age 70, of the 100 block of Widgeon Way in the North Cape May Section of the township. Mr. Mosero was a retired Lieutenant from the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Personnel from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene where the victim was pronounced dead.
Lower Township Police Chief, Edward Donohue stated at this time the incident does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
“The area of the pond where Mr. Mosero was fishing drops off quickly. We believe Mr. Mosero waded into deep water, became submerged and unfortunately was unable to return to shore, however the incident is still being investigated and certainly our thoughts go out to Mr. Mosero’s family at this time.”
The incident is under investigation by CPL. Kevin Boyle, Patrol Officer Matthew Dickinson and the Lower Township Detective Division in cooperation with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office.