Young father of two drowns at Lake Conway

BY ERIKA NORTON
VERNON — A 23-year-old husband and father of two young children, Rashad Milfort, died on Friday, July 21 after drowning in Lake Conway.
At 11:13 a.m., Vernon Township Police and other local agencies responded to a report of an adult male drowning, according to police. Upon arrival, Vernon police officers along with the firemen on scene entered the water and searched for the man, who was later located on the bottom of the lake and pulled to shore.
First responders performed CPR and the man was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick, N.Y., where he was later pronounced dead.
The man was identified as Rashad Milfort by his sister Anna Turetskaya on an online fundraising campaign page set up to raise money for funeral costs. Over $3,000 has already been raised.
“Today my brother lost his life while on vacation with his family he unfortunately drowned to his death in front of his wife, father-in-law and two children that were trying to save him,” the post from Turetskaya reads. “This has been a very traumatic time for us and trying to cope with the loss and how we are going to get by in the days to come.
“Our biggest goal is to have him fly back to our home state Florida,” the post continues. “If you please can donate even a $1 for funeral arrangements and savings for his kids I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.”
To donate to Milfort’s family, visit www.gofundme.com/7ngaz5.
The Vernon Township Police Department, Vernon Township Ambulance Squad, Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Squad, Highland Lakes Fire Department, Vernon Township Fire Department, McAfee Fire Department and St. Claire’s BLS and Paramedics responded to the drowning incident.
Drowning incidents in NJThis have been 17 deaths by drowning in New Jersey since May, according to published reports. Nine of those lives lost were young children.
The New Jersey State Police put out a press release last Thursday to remind residents to take proper safety measures when around water this summer.
“As the temperatures rise, many residents will head to pools, beaches and lakes to beat the heat, so we urge everyone to take proper steps to ensure safety in and around the water,” the statement reads.
The state police listed safety tips from the American Red Cross water safety website, including:
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system.
Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail. For example, set limits based on each person’s ability, do not let anyone play around drains and suction fittings, and do not allow swimmers to hyperventilate before swimming under water or have breath-holding contests.
Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.
If you go boating, wear a life jacket. Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.