14-year-old missing after school trip in Wildwood NJ

A 14-year-old boy from Philadelphia remains missing after disappearing in the ocean off Wildwood, New Jersey, on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred during a school field trip, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies.

Authorities said a Wildwood police officer was flagged down by witnesses reporting swimmers in distress near Schellenger Avenue and the beach at approximately 1:30 p.m. The officer entered the water and helped three swimmers reach shore safely. Two were treated at the scene, and a third was transported to Cooper University Cape Regional Hospital in stable condition. Officials later determined a 14-year-old boy, identified as Davoris Carter III, was unaccounted for.

Rescue efforts quickly expanded, with personnel from the Wildwood City Fire Department, North Wildwood Fire Department, Wildwood Beach Patrol, and Cape May County agencies responding. The U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, and other agencies were called in for assistance, deploying boats and helicopters to search the area. Beachside rescue operations were suspended after several hours on Monday, but marine and aerial units continued the search on Tuesday.