Hero Beachgoer Dives Into Rip Current To Save Young Woman At Jersey Shore

October 7, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Ocean City, New Jersey.

A beachgoer is being praised for his bravery after rescuing a young woman caught in a dangerous rip current off the Jersey Shore.

Frank and Johnny shake hands

Frank LaFerrara was enjoying a quiet afternoon when he heard someone yelling for help.

“A gentleman down by the water line here, he starts screaming for help and I said OK, gotta go,” he recalled.

Without a second thought, Frank dove into the rough surf and swam hundreds of feet to reach the woman, who appeared to be in her late teens or early 20s. But once he got to her, things got even more dangerous.

“She got over to me and she jumped on my shoulders with her arms and started pushing me under,” Frank said. “So I had to push her back and say, ‘Calm down, relax. I’m here to help.’”

As he guided her back toward shore, another beachgoer, Johnny Cerda of Ventnor, swam out with a flotation device to help bring her in.

By the time emergency crews arrived, the young woman was safely back on land—thanks to the quick action of two strangers.

Witness Dominick Dougherty said what the men did was “truly selfless,” adding, “They put themselves in danger to save that little girl.”

After it was all over, the young woman gave Frank a hug and thanked him.

“That was my reward right there,” he said with a smile.

Watch the local news video below: