Bayville Teen Charged in Barnegat Bay Canoe Death

A Bayville man is facing several charges in connection with a fatal canoe accident on Barnegat Bay last month that left his friend dead, New Jersey State Police said today.

Trevor Murphy, 18, has been charged  with reckless operation of a vessel and failure to report a fatal boat accident, Sgt. Julian Castellanos said.

Murphy and his friend Ryan J. Worrall, also 18, took a canoe out into Barnegat Bay in the early morning hours of June 10, after attending a post-high school graduation party. The two men - who had graduated from Central Regional High School only two days before - were dropped off by friends near Worrall's Balsalm Drive home in Bayville.

At some point, the canoe overturned in the darkness and both men went into the water. Murphy was able to swim back to shore. Worrall drowned.

The first notification the State Police Marine Services Division received came late in the afternoon of June 10, when an off-duty State Police officer discovered Worrall's body floating in the bay off Amherst Beach.

The details of the accident cannot be released yet, since Murphy may also face criminal charges, Castellanos said.

"There still could be criminal charges pending," he said. "That's to be announced."

Ryan Worrall died of accidental drowning, according to an autopsy performed at Community Medical Cener the day after his body was found.

Berkeley Township Police served Murphy with the charges Wednesday, which will be handled in municipal court, Castellanos said.