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(Published Monday, July 31, 2017)

Bodies have been found off beaches on Long Island and New Jersey amid searches for two swimmers swept away in rough waters in what appears to be a pair of tragic accidents, authorities say.

Jevoney White, 19, of Queens vanished off Smith Point Beach on Long Island Sunday evening. Twenty-four-year-old Zuzana Oravcova of Slovakia, a student working at Jenkinson's boardwalk as part of a visa program, disappeared off Point Pleasant early Monday when she went for a swim with her boyfriend.

Authorities confirmed late Monday morning both bodies had been positively identified as the missing swimmers.

White wasswept away around 6:45 p.m. Sunday. His body was found 20 feet from shore about 12 hours later.

A witness, John Rankin, said there are no lifeguards at the beach after 5:30 p.m. Sunday and everyone swims at his or her own risk. Rankin described a harrowing scene as the man struggled for his life.

"He had his hands in the air and he was trying to gasp for air," he said. "Then a wave had taken him under and I looked around and started panicking."

Rankin ran for help, but the next thing he knew the swimmer was under water and could no longer see him.

Meteorologists had issued a rip current warning along Smith Point Sunday afternoon, but it is unclear if rip currents played a role in sucking the swimmer under water. There is a moderate risk for rip currents Monday.

Published at 10:14 PM EDT on Jul 30, 2017 | Updated at 8:03 PM EDT on Jul 31, 2017

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Bodies Found After Swimmers Go Missing off Long Island, New Jersey Beaches - NBC New York