NEW YORK — A New York City firefighter lost his life while trying to save his daughter, who became distressed while swimming at a New Jersey beach, authorities said.
FDNY firefighter Mark Batista of Teaneck, N.J., died Friday morning, WNBC-TV reported.
The 39-year-old reportedly went into the water at Sylvania Avenue beach in Avon-by-the-Sea around 8:30 a.m. to assist his 15-year-old daughter. It was not immediately clear what happened to the girl to require assistance near a jetty, the station reported.
Family, friends and the FDNY are mourning the loss of one of their own. Firefighter Mark Batista lost his life trying to save his daughter in the water on the Jersey Shore. @naveencbs2ny shares how he's being remembered. https://t.co/DK8ra72NYi
— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) June 12, 2023
First responders contacted by witnesses rescued the girl from the water, but her father was not found until around 10 a.m. about 50 feet from the shore.
Police said emergency responders attempted life-saving measures before Batista was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died, WNBC reported.
Purple and black bunting was draped outside Engine 226 in Brooklyn where Firefighter Mark Batista was assigned. He was a 15-year veteran serving as both an EMT and a Firefighter. Batista passed away on Friday while trying to save his daughter from drowning at the Jersey Shore. pic.twitter.com/WPZt2yJQxu
— FDNY (@FDNY) June 12, 2023
The girl also was transported to the hospital and was expected to recover.
Lifeguards are not scheduled to begin working at the beach before June 17, WNBC reported.
