Two teens presumed drowned off Atlantic City beach, same night as girl died in Belmar

ATLANTIC CITY — The search for two missing teen swimmers resumed Friday as a recovery mission.

The U.S. Coast Guard joined the Atlantic City Beach Patrol last night in the search for 16-year-old Kaliyah Hand, of Atlantic City, and Ramon Quinn, 15, of Pleasantville, who were seen struggling in the water off the Kentucky Avenue beach around 7 p.m., according to Atlantic City Police.

Quinn attempted to rescue Hand but both were pulled away from the shore toward the jetty by the rip current and eventually went under.

The Atlantic City Beach Patrol was off duty at the time but joined in the search which was suspended around 10 p.m. The Coast Guard remained on scene in the ocean and the police and fire departments remained on the beach and did sweeps of the shoreline all night.

Hand's father, Dirk Spence, told the Press of Atlantic City the boy is a hero for trying to save his daughter.

"It’s a tragedy. Let’s all come together, no matter good or bad, we can make it through," Spence told the newspaper.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and Atlantic CIty Mayor Don Guardian both tweeted their condolences.

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The incident happened the same night as two cousins were pulled from the surf in Belmar. One of the girls died while the other is on life support. The strong under current was likely a factor.

"The threat of dangerous rip currents increased yesterday due to a wind shift to an easterly (on-shore) direction. A moderate risk of rip currents will continue for Friday and the upcoming weekend," NJ 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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