Lifeguard impaled by beach umbrella at Asbury Park
ASBURY PARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A lifeguard was impaled by a beach umbrella in Asbury Park on Wednesday morning, according to officials.
It happened near Third Avenue around 9:30 a.m.
Officials believe the lifeguard took a tumble off a lifeguard chair as she was trying to set the large chair umbrella into place.
"It was just a freak thing, as she was putting it in, the gust caught it, pulled it up, so when she grabbed it she was off-balance, she was on the top step of the bench, so she fell backwards off the bench and the umbrella came with her when she came down and landed on her arm," said lifeguard Joe Bongiovanni.
The umbrella went through the woman's armpit and came out her back.
"About a one-inch in diameter aluminum umbrella pole, which went into her left armpit and came out in her back, right near the scapula," said Asbury Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Christopher Barkalow.
The victim, said to be about 19 or 20 years old, was conscious and alert throughout the incident.
Lifeguards provided first aid before the fire department and EMS arrived.
Firefighters cut most of the pole away, but secured about a foot-long section that had embedded in her arm before she could go to the hospital.
It is the victim's second year as a lifeguard. She never lost consciousness after the accident and her colleagues say she is tiny but strong.
"She actually was way better than most people would be, she did very well, she just really complained about the heat so I will give her credit, she was tough," Barkalow said.
The victim is said to be stable.
Authorities added advice to beachgoers: make sure your umbrellas are secure in the sand and carry them with the point down.
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