TOMS RIVER — Search crews recovered a missing person’s body Tuesday morning, Nov. 3, after an incident at the J. Stanley Tunney Bridge a day earlier that left another person hospitalized, according to East Dover Fire Company. It was believed that two people jumped off the span, into the frigid waters of the Barnegat Bay.
East Dover firefighters returned to the area Tuesday with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Toms River Police Dive Unit. Crews found and recovered the body during the renewed search, the fire company said.
The recovery followed an hourslong search Monday that was suspended around 8:45 p.m. because of safety concerns.
The initial emergency response began around 2:34 p.m. Monday, when East Dover, Island Heights and Ocean Beach fire companies were dispatched to the Route 37 bridge following a report that someone had jumped into Barnegat Bay.
East Dover’s chief arrived within four minutes and encountered another person on the bridge. That person jumped into the water as the chief approached, according to the fire company.
Responders deployed a life ring, and an Island Heights fireboat crew rescued the person, who remained alert and conscious. The crew brought the person to Pier One Marina for evaluation by emergency medical personnel.
Authorities said the rescued person was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
Witness accounts and available video indicated that a different person had entered the water before the chief arrived, prompting a coordinated search, East Dover officials said.
Agencies assisting Monday included the U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Toms River police drone unit, Ocean Beach Fire Company and Brick Township’s dive team. A unified command post at Pier One Marina coordinated the response.
East Dover Fire Company expressed condolences to the deceased person’s family and thanked the agencies involved.
Tuesday’s update did not identify the person whose body was recovered or provide further information about the rescued person’s condition.
