Pablo Hernandez Cruz, 49, of Mays Landing, died after rescuing two children from the turbulent Great Egg Harbor River in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The tragic Wednesday afternoon incident occurred in a prohibited swimming area underneath the Weymouth Road Bridge, prompting renewed warnings from Atlantic County officials regarding dangerous undercurrents.
The Rescue Under the Weymouth Road Bridge
A Wednesday afternoon rescue effort in a dangerous stretch of the Great Egg Harbor River tragically claimed the life of a Mays Landing resident who rushed into the water to save two struggling children. Authorities identified the man as 49-year-old Pablo Hernandez Cruz, who reportedly went in to help them after two boys, aged 8 and 12, encountered difficulty while swimming in Weymouth Furnace County Park.
Father and Son Join the Search Operation
As the emergency unfolded, Paul and Hunter Horsey—who operate the nearby family-owned Winding River Campground—spotted a frantic police officer and quickly joined the search along the riverbank. They plunged into the water to scour the area where Cruz was last seen.
Hunter Horsey located the missing man underwater and unconscious, pulling him to the riverbank where emergency medical technicians immediately initiated CPR and resuscitation efforts. Following the rescue, the 12-year-old child was treated and released from a local hospital, while the 8-year-old was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Cruz was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
A Recurrent Hazard at Weymouth Furnace
The stretch of the Great Egg Harbor River running through Weymouth Furnace is well known to locals for its deceptive and hazardous conditions.
“They come under the bridge; it’s rough, fast moving waters. It’s been a common occurrence right in that spot.”
Hunter Horsey, local camper
The area features prominent signage warning visitors against entering the water. Multiple signs in English and Spanish read Prohibited, No Swimming
along the riverbanks. Some of these warnings were installed in 2021 following a previous tragedy at the exact same park, where a 23-year-old man drowned in June 2021.
Deceptive Depths and Fast Currents
Park visitors often misjudge the river because the water appears calm and shallow near the shore, masking sudden, dangerous drop-offs.
“It’s hot, they want to cool off there. It looks shallow, and it is shallow. So they think they’re wading in, and it just drops off at the end it gets deep, and they get themselves in trouble.”
Paul Horsey, local visitor
Hunter Horsey detailed the severe underwater topography beneath the bridge, noting that there’s a line where it just drops from 4 to 5 feet deep down to 12 feet,
creating a turbulent whirlpool visible from the surface.
Official Reactions and Community Response
Community members and local officials expressed profound grief over the fatal rescue. Jorge Fornia of Vineland voiced frustration that visitors continue to disregard posted warnings, noting that it blows my mind
that people ignore the rules despite clear signage.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson extended condolences to the Cruz family while reiterating strict safety warnings for anyone visiting county parks.
“The water is deep and can be dangerous for swimmers which is why we prohibit swimming. We don’t want any family to have to deal with this type of tragedy.”
Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive
Weymouth Furnace County Park was temporarily closed following the accident on Wednesday, with county authorities confirming plans to reopen the grounds on Thursday.
