News Release 8/15/13
PERTH AMBOY – Mayor Wilda Diaz and the Perth Amboy Police Department provided a report of the search and recovery for Jorge Ortega-Romero.
“On behalf of the City of Perth Amboy, I offer my sincerest regrets to the Ortega-Romero family and friends who lost their loved one. Our public safety units were present and partnered in this search, rescue and recovery effort. Once again, I urge families as we soon end this summer season – be safe. ” said Mayor Wilda Diaz.
Benjamin Ruiz, Chief of Police – Incident Report: Authorities have recovered the body of Jorge Ortega-Romero age 29 of 119 State Street, Perth Amboy, who drowned Wednesday, 14 August 2013 at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Officer Miguel Morales lays down tape closing off the area. * Photos by Paul Wang
On Wednesday, 14 August a little after 7:00 p.m. Isabel Lozada, age 32, took several children which she was baby-sitting from Caledonia Park across the street to play at the water’s edge in the area of Sadowski Parkway and High Street in the City of Perth Amboy. A short time later a family member of Ms. Lozada which was in the water Jorge Ortega-Romero approached and began playing with one of the children, a 7 year old female, in the water. It appears they were pulled out by the under currents at which time Romero attempted to push the young girl towards the shore. At this time a 12 year old male which was also with Lozada went into the water with Romero and the young girl. Lozada not seeing Romero began yelling for help. Several fishermen that were in the area called 911 as a 14 year old male which also resides in the City ran in to assist the children. At this time an Auxiliary Police Unit which was patrolling the area was flagged down. One of the Auxiliary Officers along with several witnesses assisted the 14 year old in getting the children to shore. They then attempted to locate Romero. To avoid an additional incident everyone was taken out of the water and an organized search was started.
The children were taken to the Raritan Bay Medical Center Perth Amboy Division where they were treated and released.
Rafael Torres saw a body floating in Raritan Bay.
The Search and Rescue efforts were stopped at approximately 12:00 midnight. Search and Recovery was reestablished this morning. Romero’s body was recovered in the area where he was last seen at 9:47 a.m.
Assisting in the Search Rescue and Recovery were the Perth Amboy Police Marine Services Bureau, NYPD Harbor Patrol, Union County Police Marine Patrol, New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau, U.S Coast Guard, Perth Amboy Fire Marine Unit, FDNY Marine Unit, NYPD Air Sea Rescue, Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue, the NYPD Scuba Unit and the Perth Amboy Police Chaplain Corps.
