There is an investigation underway as police attempted to identify two men who drowned in a Creek in Hazlet this afternoon.
According to a statement released by police, at 2:39 pm, Hazlet Police received a 911 call reporting that there were swimmers in distress in Thornes Creek near the Henry Hudson Trail which runs from Natco Lake to Raritan Bay.
Police say the caller was one of the four men who were swimming at that location.
Patrolman William Marvel and Patrolman Patrick Kiley arrived within minutes of the call and observed a male swimmer in distress.
The officers entered the water and were able to bring him to safety then EMS transported him to a local hospital police said.
The caller stated he witnessed a man struggling in the water and that two additional men entered to assist. Both those men were not visible in the water when officers arrived.
When the caller said the two men submerged prior to officers’ arrival, police called in additional resources when they were not able to locate the men.
The Monmouth County Sheriffs responded with their drone as well as their Maritime Emergency Response Team (MERT) which is comprised of Divers from Law Enforcement Agencies throughout Monmouth County.
The search of the creek by the drone did not locate anybody.
Police say at the same time several boats were in the water and they did not locate anyone either.
Divers from the MERT team conducted an underwater search and unfortunately, a short time later two men were located and they were deceased.
Hazlet Police Detectives are currently working on identifying the two men and making notifications to their families.
The other agencies that responded and assisted were Union Beach Police, the West Keansburg & North Centerville Fire Companies, West Keansburg and Union Beach Marine Units, Hazlet, Union Beach and Keyport First Aid Squads, Hazlet, Union Beach and Monmouth County OEM, Matawan and Middletown Fire Companies, and Brevent Park Fire Marine Unit.