TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Union teenager was killed Tuesday, May 17 while on vacation with his family in New Jersey, according to a law enforcement news release and area media reports. 

Levi Caverly, 18, and his 17-year-old sister were reportedly digging a large hole at a New Jersey beach in the Town of Toms River when the hole collapsed and trapped the siblings. 

Multiple police and medical units from several towns were dispatched at approximately 4:09 p.m. to the beach entrance near Seaview Road on the barrier island for reports of two teens trapped in the sand.

6ABC reported the teens were using frisbees to dig a 10-foot hole while the Asbury Park Press reported it took nearly two hours for responders to pull Levi from the sand, accomplished at 6:45 p.m.

The Union family was visiting the area and had spent the afternoon at the beach. 

The sister was rescued and treated at the scene. 

According to one witness, and as reported in the New York Post, the teens were digging deep. Storms had passed through the area, and the area was wet and the sand firm, the New York Post article said. 

The unnamed beach-goer told the Post she contemplated warning the family of the possible dangers around 1 p.m. but ultimately opted not to and expressed regret Wednesday for not doing so after seeing the emergency crews race to the area. 

Another witness commented to the Post about how much work it took for rescuers to reach Levi.

“The hole was so deep that you could hardly see the men who were digging,” one person told the Post. 

Assisting on scene were Silverton EMS, Toms River EMS, Toms River Fire Companies, Toms River Fire Technical Rescue Team, Lavallette Fire Company, Lavallette Police Department, Lavallette Public Works, Seaside Heights Fire Company, Toms River Police Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff CIU, and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.