PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 16-year-old Cape May lifeguard is in critical condition after his boat capsized, knocking him unconscious, officials say.
The incident occurred off of Reading and Beach avenues on Thursday. Cape May officials say the teen was rowing a lifeguard boat in the ocean when a wave flipped him over, and he hit his head.
Other lifeguards and patrols responded to his aid.
According to a GoFundMe campaign created by the boy’s aunt, the teen had to be resuscitated twice and airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.
She wrote, “His brain has suffered extensive and permanent damage. In addition he suffered severe damage to one lung, damage to his liver, two broken collarbones, broken ribs and a very serious eye injury. The brain is continuing to swell and causing more damage [than] the original injury.”
The city said in a statement, “The positive impact he has had on our beach patrol is evident based on the large outpouring of love and support from his fellow guards and the Cape May community.”