A New Jersey State Trooper, on vacation in Sea Isle City, is being lauded for his life-saving efforts.

New Jersey State Police say Detective Sergeant First Class George Wren was vacationing with his family on August 3rd when he saved the life of a swimmer caught in a riptide.

Moments after explaining the dangers of the rip current to his children, a woman frantically approached DSFC Wren and screamed that a man was drowning. He observed the man about 75 yards from the shoreline drifting further into the ocean.

DSFC Wren relied upon his water rescue training and used a surfboard to navigate the treacherous current to swim to the victim. When he reached the swimmer, he could see that the man was fatigued and barely able to keep himself afloat. DSFC Wren assisted the man onto the surfboard and swam with him back to shore where he was treated by emergency personnel.

State Police say the man suffered a heart attack during the rescue process and has been treated and released.

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