Blogfinger

Paul Goldfinger photograph. 2015. Ocean Grove near the pier.  2018.

Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor @Blogfinger.net, Ocean Grove, NJ

It was around 9:30 pm, Monday night, July 9, 2018. at the Ocean Grove, NJ,  beachfront.     Carlos Bedoya, one of the managers of the “House By the Sea,” a B &B at 14 Ocean Avenue, was relaxing on the porch.

When someone came off the beach to tell him that a cry for help was heard,  he ran down to the water’s edge with his iPhone flashlight on.  At first he saw no one and heard nothing. But as he searched by the jetty, he noticed something in the water.

Carlos went into the water, to his knees, and came upon a person in the surf by the rocks.   The man was dressed in shorts and a polo shirt. He dragged the heavy-set victim to shore, as someone came out to help.  Carlos thought the victim was still alive, and as they got him onto the beach while starting CPR, first responders showed up to continue resuscitation.

We have no medical details, but the victim died at Jersey Shore Medical Center ER.

Gabriel D’Abruzzo, age 42,  was an acclaimed classical pianist/organist/choir director  from Pittsburgh, Pa.   We don’t know why he decided to go to such a risky location.  He was not wearing a bathing suit, so Carlos thinks he may have slipped while on the rocks.  We don’t know where he was staying or whom he was with.  At first, authorities were searching the area looking for a second swimmer, but it appears that the victim was alone.

We have no other information.  Clearly, Grover Carlos Bedoya acted heroically in entering rough waters at night to try and help a man in trouble.

There have been worrisome riptides in the area in recent days and they are particularly risky near the jetty.  Also, to go into the ocean at night at an unguarded beach is always considered to be unwise.