Juvenile Airlifted After Water-Related Emergency

On July 30, 2025, at approximately 1616 hours, emergency services were dispatched to Hidden Lake located in the Whiting section of Manchester Township, following a report of a 16-year-old male in the water, unconscious and of unknown respiratory status.

Responding agencies included the Manchester Township Police Patrol Division, Manchester EMS, Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, and Robert Wood Johnson EMS paramedics. Manchester Township Police Officers Sgt. Michael Guarino, Ptl. Sage Sysol, Ptl. Taylor Schandall, Ptl. Liam Christensen, and Ptl. Sean Rembach responded to the call.

Due to the remote and challenging terrain leading to the lake, emergency responders assembled at the start of a dirt trail to coordinate their approach. During the response, two police vehicles became disabled in the off-road terrain. Demonstrating urgency and commitment, the first responders exited their vehicles and began running towards the lake in a desperate effort to save the victim’s life.

Meanwhile, bystanders at the lake played a crucial role in the incident response. They located the emergency crews and transported them by vehicle to the scene, where the juvenile victim was accompanied by two friends who were holding the victim above the water’s surface.

First responders quickly placed the unresponsive juvenile on a backboard and executed a rope-assisted extrication up an estimated 30-foot embankment. The juvenile, assessed at the scene to be in critical condition, was then transported via UTV approximately three miles to the main road.

A medevac helicopter was requested, and a landing zone was established at Bowker Field in Whiting. The patient was transferred from the UTV to a Manchester EMS ambulance and then transported to the awaiting helicopter. He was subsequently airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center’s Trauma Unit, where he was intubated and underwent further medical evaluation.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the juvenile sustained traumatic injuries after falling from a rope swing and landing on his head. The incident is currently under investigation by Patrolman Sean Rembach of the Manchester Township Police Department.