One Dead In Berkeley Township Pit Drowning

An 18-year-old from South Toms River was killed in an apparent diving accident at Fischer's Lake in Berkeley Township on Tuesday night.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office says Gary Douglas was pronounced dead at Community Mediical Center after he became distressed while swimming with friends in the inactive gravel pit not far from Beachwood Elementary School near Hickory Road and Northern Boulevard around 8:45 p.m.

The pit's steep and sandy banks and remote location made it difficult for Douglas to get himself out of the pit.

Police were assisted by the Bayville and Manitou Park Fire Company Water Rescue Team to recover Douglas from the pit.

The pit is difficult to access and called an extremely dangerous, unprotected place to swim. Police warn that individuals should never swim alone there.

The Berkeley Township Police and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office continue to investigate the incident.