Lifeguards rescue 20 children from rip current after sandbar collapses off Lavallette beach
Lavallette, NJ – A beach outing nearly turned tragic last week when a group of 20 children were swept into a rip current following the sudden collapse of a sandbar, prompting a dramatic rescue by more than a dozen lifeguards along the Jersey Shore.
The incident unfolded at approximately 1:45 p.m. on August 11 at White Avenue beach, where youngsters from the Lavallette Yacht Club sailing school were on an annual beach trip. The group, ages 8 to 12, had been swimming and splashing around a sandbar when a set of strong waves washed it out, creating a dangerous rip current that quickly pulled them away from shore.
Lavallette Beach Patrol Captain Jack Caucino called the incident a textbook “washout,” a known hazard when a sandbar suddenly collapses and gives way to a powerful current.
“Immediately the kids were in danger,” Caucino said. “They were spread out across the water, and the situation escalated fast.”
Senior guard Chase Adams and Sgt. Jeff Horn were first in the water. A rescue call was quickly issued over the radio, triggering the full beach patrol response. Lifeguard Tristen Rodriguez entered with a rescue rope line while other guards raced from nearby stations to help.
Lt. Joe Caucino and Capt. Caucino arrived in a beach patrol vehicle and took command as the rescue unfolded. At one point, eight lifeguards were in the water securing the struggling swimmers as more joined the effort.
“With the final arrival of about five or six more guards, we were able to get all of the victims to shore,” Caucino said.
All 20 children were brought back safely with no injuries reported. The Lavallette Borough Council released the details during a meeting Monday and commended the quick-thinking and coordinated response of the lifeguards.
