Mexican national from Pitman, NJ, drowns in wildlife area

A citizen of Mexico, who was living in Pitman, has died after going swimming in a wildlife management area in Gloucester County.

The Monroe Township Police Department says just after 2:00 Thursday afternoon, August 29th, their officers were called to the Cedar Lake Wildlife Management Area off Jackson Road for a reported drowning.

According to police, the victim, Rafael Martinez Pascual, was swimming with friends when he disappeared beneath the surface. Rescue workers and divers from numerous agencies who were equipped with specialized watercraft, a helicopter, and drones recovered Pascual's body around 5 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Swimming is prohibited at the Cedar Lake Wildlife Management Area; several very dangerous, unguarded bodies of water exist in and around that area.

Police say this is the fourth drowning in Monroe Township this summer.

The Monroe Township Police Department is investigating with the assistance of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities thanked the numerous agencies that responded, including the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Conservation Police, New Jersey State Police, the Washington Township Police Department, Gloucester County Emergency Management, Gloucester County EMS, the Williamstown and Cecil Fire Departments, the Malaga Fire Company Water Rescue Team, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.