Lifeguard in Jersey Shore injured after being impaled by beach umbrella
A lifeguard at Asbury Park Beach in New Jersey was seriously injured on Wednesday morning after being impaled by a beach umbrella during an unexpected gust of wind. The incident, which took place shortly after 9 a.m., involved a 19-year-old lifeguard who was preparing her stand for the day. According to Beach Safety Supervisor John Bongiovanni, the umbrella was designed to provide shade for lifeguards positioned at their chairs.
As the lifeguard attempted to secure the umbrella, a sudden gust of wind lifted it. Bongiovanni explained that as the umbrella was pulled up, the young lifeguard instinctively reached for it in an effort to bring it back down. Unfortunately, the action caused the umbrella to tilt awkwardly, resulting in it being propelled back toward her. The impact sent her tumbling off her approximately five-foot-tall lifeguard chair while the six-foot aluminum pole transformed into a dangerous projectile.
The pole, measuring one inch in diameter, penetrated the lifeguard’s front left shoulder and emerged from her upper back, protruding by nearly a foot. Fire Chief Kevin Keddy reported that first responders arrived at the scene to find the lifeguard surrounded by her colleagues, who were providing immediate assistance until professional medical help could arrive.
Keddy elaborated on the severity of the injury, noting that the aluminum pole had pierced through her body, requiring emergency personnel to make careful incisions for its removal. Battalion Chief Chris Barkalow confirmed that they utilized a battery-powered band saw to trim the pole into smaller sections to facilitate transport. Remarkably, the injured lifeguard remained conscious and alert throughout the incident, with Barkalow referring to her as a resilient individual.
Following the emergency response, she was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for surgery. Reports indicate that she is expected to make a full recovery and may return to work within a few weeks. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of beach conditions and underscores the importance of safety measures for lifeguards and beachgoers alike.
The Asbury Park incident highlights the essential role that lifeguards play in maintaining safety at recreational sites, as well as the potential dangers they face daily. As the summer season continues, attentiveness to environmental factors such as wind can prove crucial in preventing similar events.
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