On June 30, 2015, members of the Manchester Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a missing swimmer at 2:27 p.m. at a lake within the Heritage Minerals tract of land, located off of State Highway 37.
When Manchester Police Officers arrived, they learned that the 17-year-old female swimmer, a Manchester Township resident, had last been seen by friends in the water in an area located in close proximity to the shoreline. Members of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted in the search of the water and surrounding area. The New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit also assisted in the search.
The victim was subsequently located in the water by members of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department Scuba Unit and Scuba trained Manchester Township Police Officers. The Manchester First Aid squad and MONOC Paramedics administered life saving measures and transported the victim to Community Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.
The public is reminded that the Heritage Minerals site is private property. It is closed for recreational or other use and it a criminal offense to enter or remain on the property. In the interest of public safety, the Manchester Township Police urges everyone to obey the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the site.