Ventnor Girl Saved By Friend Who Drowned Tells Her Story

One of the two teenage girls saved from drowning on the Oxford Avenue Beach in Ventnor on Friday night has written a tribute to the boy who lost his life while saving her.

Jayda Smith, 17, had invited her friends Sierra Williams, 18, and Jalan Alston, 18, to visit her Ventnor house on Friday and the three made their way to the beach a little past 6pm, after the lifeguards had quit for the day.

Strong rip currents, caused by Tropical Storm Fay, made for potentially dangerous conditions last week on South Jersey beaches.

Jayda's story of what happened when the three friends became caught in a rip current and the two girls were pushed to safety by Jalan, only to lose him in the waves, is one of bravery, shock and devastating tragedy.

It is also a story that could save someone's life in the future.

Jayda's mom, Joie Amanda Cook, posted her daughter's story to her Facebook page...