FDNY veteran drowns trying to save daughter at Jersey Shore
Firefighter Mark Batista tragically lost his life on Friday while attempting to save his teenage daughter from treacherous waters at a beach in Avon-by-the-Sea on the Jersey Shore. Batista, who was a member of the Brooklyn Engine Company 226 and a Teaneck resident, died during a family trip, confirmed the FDNY. The veteran firefighter had been with the department for 15 years and worked as both an EMT and firefighter.
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Batista’s teenager daughter had been caught in a rip current near a jetty when he noticed and leaped into the rough surf around 8:30 a.m. Unfortunately, strong currents swept Batista under the water, and he was found submerged around 10 a.m.
A rescue team searched for just 10 minutes before locating the daughter and taking her to the hospital. The teenager is expected to recover. Batista was taken to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. While no lifeguards were on duty, officials caution the public to avoid swimming when no lifeguards are present.
Spokesperson Amanda Farinacci Gonzalez expressed the FDNY’s condolences, saying, “We are heartbroken to learn about the death of Firefighter Mark Batista, who died Friday while swimming at the Jersey Shore. We join his family in mourning his tragic passing.”
FAQs:
Q: What happened to Mark Batista?
A: Mark Batista, a veteran FDNY firefighter and member of the Brooklyn Engine Company 226, drowned while trying to save his teenage daughter from dangerous waters at Sylvania Avenue Beach in Avon-by-the-Sea on the Jersey Shore.
Q: What happened to Batista’s daughter?
A: Batista’s daughter had been caught in a rip current near a jetty when he noticed and jumped into the water to save her. A rescue team found the teenager within 10 minutes and transported her to the hospital, where she is expected to recover.
Q: Was anyone else injured?
A: No other injuries were reported.
Q: Was there a lifeguard on duty while the Batista family was swimming?
A: No, there were no lifeguards on duty at the beach.
Q: How long had Batista been with the FDNY?
A: Batista had served with the FDNY for 15 years as both an EMT and firefighter.
Q: What is the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office’s advice to the public?
A: Officials advise the public to avoid swimming in dangerous waters without a lifeguard present.
FDNY veteran loses life while attempting to rescue daughter at Jersey Shore.
A dedicated firefighter with the Brooklyn Engine Company 226, Mark Batista, tragically lost his life while trying to save his teenage daughter from dangerous waters off the Jersey Shore on Friday. The 39-year-old Teaneck resident was on a family trip at Sylvania Avenue Beach in Avon-by-the-Sea when he noticed his daughter struggling in the surf and jumped in to help. Sadly, Batista was caught in the rough waves and swept away, while his daughter was rescued by a team of responders and later taken to the hospital for treatment. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office released a statement warning beachgoers not to swim when lifeguards are not on duty, as the beach in question didn’t staff lifeguard stands at the time of the incident. The FDNY expressed their deep sadness and offered condolences to Batista’s family, praising him as a loyal public servant who dedicated 15 years to serving as both an EMT and a firefighter.