Despite the dedicated lifesaving efforts to revive the 39-year-old Teaneck resident, Batista was later pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
A Legacy of Public Service
Batista’s legacy is one of service. Amanda Farinacci Gonzalez, FDNY spokesperson, commented, “Firefighter Batista was a dedicated public servant who spent fifteen years serving in the FDNY, as both an EMT and a firefighter.
We join his family in mourning his tragic passing.”
A Warning to the Public
In light of the fatal incident, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office issued a plea reminiscent of a weather alert, urging the public to exercise extreme caution in the water.
They specifically warned against entering the water when lifeguards are off-duty, echoing the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Batista’s death.
At the time of the incident, the beach was without its usual lifeguard watch.
The official cause of Batista’s death is yet to be released, and the Avon-by-the-Sea Police Department is currently investigating the incident.
