Scott Garrett Portesi died attempting to save Keith C. Kabilian from drowning, Spring Lake, New Jersey, August 30, 1995. While swimming in the Atlantic Ocean at night, Kabilian, 18, and a friend, Portesi, 19, college student, were carried away from shore by a very strong current. Portesi succeeded in reaching shore, but Kabilian was carried farther out. He called for help. After sitting briefly on the beach, Portesi, although visibly tired, re-entered the surf and swam to Kabilian, but they were soon separated in the water, and Kabilian lost sight of Portesi. A responding police officer swam out to Kabilian, then about 485 feet from shore. After searching for Portesi, the officer took Kabilian to shore, with aid en route from a lifeguard who had arrived. Kabilian was taken to a hospital for observation and later released. Portesi drowned; his body was recovered from the surf three days later.
70045 – 7998
70045-7998