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UPDATE: Services Set for Hereford Inlet Drowning Victims

Accidents | Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:32 am | Updated 2 years 30 weeks ago | Read 12892 | Commented 12 | Emailed 12
Tags: drowning, North Wildwood, u.s. coast guard

By Herald Staff

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Photos and video clip by: Rick Racela

WHITESBORO — On June 30 Jamilah Watkins, 27, of South Carolina, and 15-year-old Shayne Hart, of Middletown, Conn., had likely made a fatal decision to return to the water at the Surf Avenue beach along the Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood after lifeguards had gone home for the day.

Funeral services for both drowning victims will be held today at noon at Christ Gospel Church, located at 2209 Route 9 South, Whitesboro.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on June 30, city police received two 911 calls reporting that three people were having problems swimming in the inlet. When emergency personnel arrived, one of the three girls, who were part of the same ex-tended family, was out of the water, but Wat-kins and Hart were still in the inlet.

Members of the North Wildwood Beach Patrol entered the water to search for the swimmers, police said.

Within minutes, Hart was pulled from the water and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered as she was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center in Middle Town-ship, where she was pronounced dead.

Emergency responders continued to search for Watkins. The North Wildwood Fire Department was called to the scene and requested rescue boats from Angle-sea and Stone Harbor Fire Departments. The New Jersey State Police also responded to the scene with patrol boats and a helicopter. Additionally the Coast Guard was requested to the scene at 6:13 p.m.

Approximately 90 minutes later, Watkins body was found.

Autopsy results con-firmed that the cause of death for Watkins and Hart was drowning.

North Wildwood Beach Patrol Chief Tony Cavalier said the two victims were likely caught in an outgoing tide. Cavalier urged swimmers not to go into the water when the life-guards are off duty.

Watkins, who was born in Cape May County, was visiting family in Middle Township. She is the daughter of Jesse Watkins and Dianna Moore.

Watkins lived in South Carolina and Connecticut before coming back to the area this past year. She was studying to be a paralegal. Along with her parents, Watkins is survived by her children, Daquan Amos, Makyia Bryant, and Myasia Bryant; her siblings, Shamika Watkins, Jermaine McNeil, Justin Fox, and Jordyn Fox and her grandfather Rev. George H. Watkins.

Hart was an honor student at Vinal Technical High School in Middle Town, Conn. She was a member of the IST computer club and enjoyed writing poems and singing.

Hart is survived by her mother, Tasha Hart; her father, Tommy Joyner, Jr. and Jerry Rudy Bell, Jr.; her brothers, Sha'fai L. Bell and Tommy Joyner, III; her great grand-mother, Eula Jane Grant; her maternal grand-mother, Jantia Hart; her maternal grandfather, Thaddeus Hart; and her paternal grandfather, Tommy Joyner, Sr.

Print | Email Updated 2 years 30 weeks ago

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Comments (12)

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Tue, 07/07/2009 - 8:18pm - Posted by: fredwager

these people know your not to enter the water with no lifeguards, just like they know it is against the law to commit welfare fraud, but they do it anyway. my heart goes out to the govt.

Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:12pm - Posted by: vaidella1

My heart goes out to Dianna Moore. We were neighbors when her daughter was a baby. She was such a beautiful child. Even though I hadn't seen her in years I had sen her mother over the years. I can't imagine losing a child. Dianna and Jesse stay strong and know your child is with God.

Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:13am - Posted by: whataboutbob

Oh no what would we do without the communist New Jersey government to save us from our selfs......Another example of freedom under fire in this police state.

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 1:33pm - Posted by: jimryan

The beach along the herford inlet must be off limits for bathers. Keep it open for fishing only. The tides are too strong. Plus power boats run through. Officals must post signs that boldly state, NO Swiming or Bathing. It's Common sense.

Fri, 07/03/2009 - 1:03pm - Posted by: Theresaplaceinthesun

Everyone should be aware that you mustn't swim in the ocean without lifegaurds.

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:17am - Posted by: jcme

Really sad, my prayers go out to the families. That is a very dangerous part of the beach and should be posted so. Cross currents. I grew up in NW and locals know the safe and unsafe places. Tourists don't. No one should ever swim after lifeguards are off duty.

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 8:14am - Posted by: Javonda1

My prayers go out to the families of both young ladies. I grew up with these families and my heart is hurting for them. We all know these waters are unpredictable and you just never know when that mighty sea will change your lives forever. My family recently went through a tragedy similar to this, and we still ask "WHY" .......Just hold each other tight and with the strength of the family and God may you find some sort of comfort in knowing that you have two beautiful Angels to watch over all of you.

Much Love Javonda and Family

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 2:54pm - Posted by: iveaghpde

Our prayers and very deepest sympathy go out to the Watkins family. We are also praying for and thinking of the family of the young girl from CT as well. Only somone who has lost a child can understand, and the circumstances don't change the pain. The sea, rip currents, tidal changes and so on can vary so much. Those of us who are here year round are acutely aware of these dangers, but folks who do not live by the sea are not. The very sad fact is that these two lovely, vibrant young women have lost their lives. Those of us who still have our children by us tonight can and should be grateful for that and hug them a bit closer whilst taking a moment to spare a thought and say a prayer for the family and friends of Jamilah and the fifteen year old girl who are now with God and who have to find a way to go on without them. To the lifeguards and rescue squads as well as our Coast Guard - who are nothing short of heroes - thank you all for everything, for putting yourselves on the line and for always being there.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:59pm - Posted by: info

Very sad, my thoughts are with the family

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:52am - Posted by: theSHADOW

And just think.....if the BRAIN TRUST at the DEP had their way...THE BEACHES WOULD BE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 10:48am - Posted by: jane3

My husband and I were walking yesterday at the inlet and we were shocked at all the children at the inlet beach that the parents were allowing in the water with no lifeguard on duty. We raised our children at the beaches in North Wildwood. We never would have swam at a beach that there were no lifeguards at any time. I feel so badly that this happened to anyone at anytime but parents have to be a little wiser and respect the rules. The inlet tides are the worst in Wildwood. Why not move up to 5th street where you can all be safe and keepp these events from happening. The lifeguards are there for a reason and they do an incredible job everyday.

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 9:11pm - Posted by: dprager

my husband and myself happened to be there when the tragedy happened , but the coast guard and all of wildwood and their help really did there best. My prays are with their family tonight.





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