Brooklyn teen dies after saving swimmers at Jersey Shore beach

An 18-year-old sacrificed his own life to save that of two swimmers at Jersey Shore beach.

Jalan Alston Brooklyn Teen Jersey Shore www.theGrio.com
(Courtesy abc7ny)

A Brooklyn teen sacrificed his life to save two others during a visit to Jersey Shore beach.

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Jalan Alston, a recent high school graduate, jumped in the water at Ventnor, New Jersey to help two swimmers in need. ABC7 reports the teen’s selfless act on July 10 was a tragic moment. According to the news outlet, he did not hesitate to risk his life to save others despite the fact that he himself could not swim.

Jalan Alston Brooklyn teen swimmer thegrio.com
(Credit: GoFundMe)

“He didn’t know how to swim, and he didn’t tell them,” his mother Jahdiel Alston says to ABC7. According to the report, she feels a mixture of “pain and pride.”

The U.S. Coast Guard says Alston was able to push the two swimmers in need to the shore and did not return.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Jalan,” says Capt. Jonathan Theel, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, to ABC7.

“It’s always difficult to suspend a case and it weighs especially heavy on our hearts knowing that he was helping others.”

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Chief Doug Biagi of the Ventnor Police Department confirmed Alston’s body was recovered July 11. He issued a public Facebook post in regards to the incident.

Jayda Smith, one of the swimmers rescued by the teen, expressed gratitude for his actions.

“It’s because of him that I am here, sharing his story to the world,” Smith says to ABC7.

He is remembered by his family as a young man with a loving outlook on others.

Jalan Alston Brooklyn swimmer thegrio.com

“My brother is best described as strong and selfless, he always looked out for me the same way I looked out for him,” says his brother Mark Alston to ABC7.

He continues, “He was pure of love and will always be remembered for his positive impacts due to the fact that I don’t have any negative ones. He was never combative and treated everyone fairly and equally. He is courageous and one of the smartest kids I know.”

Alston recently graduated from George Westinghouse High School and planned to study for a career in electrical engineering.

The family established a GoFundMe which has garnered over $26,000 in donations after establishing a $12,00 goal.

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