ASBURY PARK, N.J. — An 18-year-old female lifeguard at the 3rd Avenue beach in Asbury Park is recovering after being impaled by a runaway beach umbrella stake during her morning shift Wednesday, officials said.
The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. as the lifeguard, identified only as Alex, was attempting to secure an umbrella at the lifeguard stand. A gust of wind pulled the umbrella from her hands, and as she reached to grab it, she was pulled off the bench and fell onto the six-foot-long stake, which pierced through her upper left arm.
Asbury Park Beach Safety Supervisor Joe Bongiovanni said about 12 inches of the stake were visible on the other side of her arm. Firefighters had to cut the pole to make transport and surgery possible, according to Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy.
Alex was taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined the stake had missed a major artery by about a centimeter.
Beach operations resume after freak accident
Officials confirmed Alex remained calm after the accident and underwent surgery. The lifeguard told reporters she does not plan to let the incident stop her from returning to the Jersey Shore.
Asbury Park beach staff reviewed safety procedures following the incident, which was described as a rare and unpredictable mishap.
No additional injuries were reported on the beach that morning.
The beach remained open as normal after emergency responders cleared the scene.