Man tragically dies after saving two children from drowning in New Jersey river

A man has tragically died after saving two children from drowning in a New Jersey river. Pablo Hernando Cruz passed away after entering the water of the Great Egg Harbor River in Atlantic County on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old from Mays Landing spotted two children in distress at Weymouth Furnace County Park in Hamilton Township, authorities say. The youngsters had gone swimming there, which isn't allowed.

Several signs posted in English and Spanish urge people not to swim in the river so when the children started to experience difficulty in the water, Cruz reportedly ran in to rescue them.

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Cruz was able to pull the children from the water and get them safely to shore, but he then went under the water. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but sadly died on Thursday morning.

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It comes after a 23-year-old man drowned in the same park in June 2021. County officials told Action News many people don't realize how deep the water is, which makes it dangerous for anyone who decides to swim there.

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