Man Drowns in Barnegat Bay Off Seaside Heights

Police have released the name of a 55-year-old man who drowned in Barnegat Bay last night.

Edward Earnish, who lived on Sheridan Avenue in the borough, was  swimming with two other friends when the incident occurred. There are no lifeguards on duty at that time of night, Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman said.

His body was found floating near the North Pier on Kearney Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Korman said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office was called to the scene, which is routine, he said.

Korman was not sure of the depth of the bay in the area where the men were swimming. But it's the same spot where two boys fell through the ice in February 2010. One boy drowned, Korman said.

Come back to Berkeley Patch later for more information on this developing story.