PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A man thought to be lost at sea at the Jersey Shore was found Saturday, nearly 24 hours after he sacrificed his life for others.
The body of 18-year-old Jalan Alston was found in Atlantic City.
In response to the rough waves from Tropical Storm Fay, lifeguards were doubled up along Ventnor Beach over the weekend.
Despite this, Alston took matters into his own hands, diving into the water Friday to save two women in the ocean.
Police say he pushed the women toward land while putting himself in danger and ultimately sacrificing his own life.
A couple of beachgoers told NBC 10 the ocean was especially uneasy.
"We could barely stay there more than five minutes, honestly," one woman said.
"It was rough yesterday and rough today, and it’s subsiding a little bit, but people take caution and pay attention," said another man.
Last evening my kid brother was lost at sea on the northeast coast . I’m praying we find him and I’m posting this picture so that those near water can be on a lookout for him, his name is Jalan Alston, all I want is for him to be found. @USCGNortheast pic.twitter.com/9mXfNeBDlA
— Mark A. (@Calamarky)
July 11, 2020 "The storm had just kind of cleared up in the late afternoon," said Andrea Kaplan, who told NBC 10 the outcome of Alston's heroic act was unimaginable. "I mean he's a hero, but it's so horrible. You don't really think of these kinds of things happening."
Alston's brother wrote on Twitter late Saturday that the search concluded and his brother's body was found.
He added Alston was forever blessed and will be forever loved.
