Mother trying to rescue 3 children drowns in North Wildwood, officials say

NORTH WILDWOOD, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A mother from Berks County, Pennsylvania drowned trying to rescue her three children from the waters off the Jersey Shore, officials said.

Fire, police and rescue units were deployed to the 18th Street Beach at 3 p.m. Tuesday after a 911 call reporting four swimmers in distress.

According to the North Wildwood Fire Department, the swimmers were a family of four from Wernersville on vacation.

Officials said crews were able to rescue two boys, ages 8 and 10, and a 19-year-old woman.

Emergency responders found the fourth victim, a 49-year-old woman, face down about 150 yards off the shoreline.

The fire department said the woman was the mother of the three children and was attempting to rescue them from the water.

Emergency responders started life-saving measures on the woman and she was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center.

The 49-year-old victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The incident remains under investigation.

The victim's name is being withheld at this time, officials said.