Man dies saving 2 kids from drowning in Mays Landing, NJ NBC Boston [Video]

A man died after he saved two children from drowning in the river in Mays Landing, New Jersey, officials said.

The 12-year-old boy and 8-year-old boy were swimming in the Great Egg Harbor River at Weymouth Furnace – a popular park for canoeing, kayaking and tubing – Wednesday afternoon when they began struggling in the water. A man, later identified as 49-year-old Pablo Hernandez Cruz of Mays Landing, then jumped into the river and helped get the children to safety but was pulled underneath the water.

Other rescuers then helped get Cruz out of the water. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The 12-year-old boy was treated at the hospital and released while the 8-year-old boy was transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Relatives started a GoFundMe for Cruz’s family.

While canoeing, kayaking and tubing are allowed at Weymouth Furnace, swimming is prohibited. Atlantic County officials said families often still …