(08/01/06) ASBURY PARK ? A selfless Good Samaritan sacrificed his own life to save a teen in the waters off Asbury Park Monday evening.

Thirteen-year-old Tyshawn Hawkins and his 15-year-old cousin were swimming in the ocean after hours when they became caught in the grip of a rip current. Hawkins? cousin managed to get ashore and call for help, prompting a complete stranger to spring into action. Queens resident Christopher Lyons swam to help Hawkins, who was able to make it back to shore. However, Lyons himself became caught in the current and ultimately drowned as a result.

Lyons? death marks the second after-hours drowning at a Monmouth County beach in three days. Rescuers say the tragic events serve to highlight the dangers of swimming without lifeguards on duty. The other drowning occurred in Belmar over the weekend.