In a chilling reminder of how swiftly accidents can occur, a beach lifeguard was hospitalized after finding herself in a dangerous accident.
See the tweet further down this post.
The accident unfolded at Asbury Park’s 3rd Avenue Beach when a powerful gust of wind turned a routine morning into a scene of horror.
The female lifeguard was setting up the beach and installing umbrellas when the wind caught one, sending it hurling toward her with unavoidable force as she attempted to protect beachgoers.
According to officials, the umbrella stake penetrated under her left shoulder and grotesquely protruded about a foot out of her back.
First responders were forced to use a bandsaw to cut the approximately 6-foot-long stake into smaller pieces just to transport her to the hospital, demonstrating the severity of the freak accident.
Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy said, “The umbrella went underneath her left shoulder and out the back. It was protruding by about a foot.”
Despite the gruesome nature of her injuries, the young woman remained conscious and alert throughout the ordeal.
She was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was reported to be in stable condition, showcasing American resilience in the face of unexpected tragedy.
What many Americans do not realize is that these incidents are far more common than government agencies report to the public.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) records approximately 3,000 beach umbrella-related injuries annually, yet has implemented few practical safety measures to protect beachgoers from these preventable accidents.
“When we dropped her off, she was conscious and alert and in good spirits — all things considered,” Chief Keddy added. “She’s a tough young woman.”
Lifeguard impaled by umbrella at Jersey Shore in gruesome scene https://t.co/sNWKaLWms8 pic.twitter.com/j0DLncJBuP
— New York Post (@nypost) June 25, 2025
The lifeguard’s quick thinking in attempting to secure the umbrella likely prevented it from injuring others at the beach.
John Bongiovanni, who witnessed the incident, explained: “As she was putting [the umbrella] in, a gust of wind came up and started to pull it up. So as it pulled up, she reached to try to grab it, and when she grabbed it [to] pull it down.”
Additionally, fatal incidents from beach umbrellas have claimed American lives in recent years, including a 63-year-old woman in South Carolina in 2022 and a 55-year-old woman in Virginia Beach in 2016.
These tragedies underscore the need for increased public awareness and common-sense safety measures, rather than more government regulations.
“Make sure your umbrellas are secure in the sand and carry them with the point down,” advised Chief Keddy.
As summer beach season reaches its peak, this incident serves as a reminder for patriotic American families to take personal responsibility for their safety at public beaches.
While government agencies continue to compile statistics rather than offering practical solutions, common sense remains the best defense against these unexpected dangers threatening the treasured summer traditions.
