Swimmer Dies In NJ Quarry: Officials

BUENA VISTA TWP., NJ — The body of a swimmer who went missing in a South Jersey quarry has been recovered, officials said.

The Collings Lakes Fire Department was sent to the Collings Lakes quarry in the Newtonville section of Buena Vista Township for a water rescue on July 5, the department said.

A swimmer had gone under the water and never resurfaced, the fire department said.

Dive teams from multiple agencies, including New Jersey State Police, went into the quarry to search for the swimmer. However, the search was called off due to darkness and lightning in the area.

The body was recovered on July 6, officials said.

Swimming in quarries and other bodies of water like blue holes is very dangerous, officials warned.

"It can not be stressed enough how dangerous quarries and blue holes like this one are, and under no circumstances should anyone be swimming in them," the Collings Lakes Fire Department said. "They look inviting, but just under the surface are many dangers people are not aware of. Even one tragedy is one too many, and we all must do our part in preventing them."