Avon by the Sea, NJ – A tragic incident unfolded on Friday morning when Mark Batista, a firefighter from the New York City Fire Department, lost his life while rescuing his teenage daughter from drowning in the ocean.
The incident occurred off the shore of Avon by the Sea.
First responders sprung into action after receiving distress calls and managed to pull Mark Batista from the water.
The veteran firefighter had jumped into the water when his daughter became trapped in a rip current. Although the rescue teams were able to save his daughter in time and safely bring her back to the shore, Batista did not survive.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, the FDNY expressed their profound grief over the loss of Firefighter Mark Batista. The statement described him as a dedicated public servant who had faithfully served in the FDNY for fifteen years, fulfilling the roles of both an Emergency Medical Technician and a firefighter.
The FDNY extended their heartfelt condolences to Batista’s family, joining them in mourning the tragic passing of their beloved relative.
Mark Batista, a 15-year veteran of the FDNY, was assigned to Engine Company 226.