update on man who died in 5 feet of water 9th ave. Belmar

photos copyright June Mckim













from the Asbury Park press
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060801/NEWS/608010314
Nonswimmer a victim
In the Belmar drowning, Martinez, who police said was a Mexican native, died after he lost his balance in the surf and drowned off the 10th Avenue beach near the wreck of the Malta, the 244-foot-long, 40-foot-wide and 1,600-ton vessel that went down off Belmar in 1885.
Belmar Police Chief Jack Hill said the 911 call came at 6:57 p.m.
"Evidently, this fellow was swimming with a group of his friends," Hill said. "He did not know how to swim, and he was intoxicated. His friends saw him waving his arms and then he went underwater, and they did not see him resurface. But, unfortunately, he and his friends just speak Spanish, so there was somewhat of a time delay in calling, in getting someone to call 911."
Bill Karatz, lifeguard supervisor in Belmar, said Martinez was knocked off his feet by a wave and possibly might have ingested enough seawater to become incapacitated. At 5 feet, 6 inches tall, Martinez ended up drowning in 5 feet of water, Karatz said.