Another group of children was swimming in the creek at the brickyard dock, about 1/2 mile to the east from the Wycoff dock. Joseph Dunn, a 12-year-old from New York City, was visiting his aunt in Cliffwood Beach with his brother Michael, who was 14 years old. Joseph and Michael joined their friend Jerry Hourihan and two other friends in the creek by the NJ Clay Co. docks.
The boys heard yelling and the word “shark” and quickly tried to make their way out of the creek. Joseph was farthest away from the dock ladder and last to reach it. He felt his left lower leg being bitten and he was pulled under. Michael and Jerry tried to pull him out, but it quickly became a tug-of-war between them and the shark. Robert Thress, the brickyard supervisor, heard the screams, ran over and pulled Joseph free. Jacob Lefferts, who was fishing nearby, jumped in the water to help.
Capt. Cottrell arrived in a motorboat and took Joeseph and Michael to the Wyckoff dock as he knew there were doctors there tending to Mr. Fisher. Dr. H.S. Cooley attended to Joseph, who was then driven to St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick for further treatment.
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