Rough surf in the Atlantic Ocean.
Margate City Police rescued two people from drowning Saturday after the department received multiple 911 calls around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 stating there were two swimmers in distress at the Wilson Avenue beach.
Ptl. Brendan Campbell, who was already on the beach answering an unrelated call, immediately responded and ran into the surf. Sgt. Chris Taroncher responded on an ATV minutes later and also entered the water to assist.
Both victims, a 12-year-old girl and her 58-year-old grandmother of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were hanging on to a nearby jetty. While struggling with rough surf conditions and dangerous rip currents, Campbell and Taroncher each pulled one of the victims from the water.
They were treated on scene by the Margate City Fire Department and released.
The swimming season in all three Downbeach communities has ended and lifeguards are no longer guarding the beach.
Visitors are advised to avoid swimming in the ocean, especially during the height of hurricane season when surf conditions are dangerous.
