18-Year-Old Lifeguard Opens Up About Beach Umbrella Injury

In a bizarre incident this week, a lifeguard was impaled by a beach umbrella. She acknowledged how fortunate she is and promised to go back to the beach if she fully recovers.

In her initial interview with Eyewitness News on Thursday, 18-year-old Alex, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the pole had only missed an artery by a centimeter.

The rod, which was one inch thick, entered her underarm and exited her back. Alex has undergone surgery since the Wednesday morning incident.

Alex clarified that when it all happened, she was attempting to secure a beach umbrella.

On hot days, she explained, "we have umbrellas on stands and we generally have ropes linked to each of them so you can tie them to the stands." However, a burst of wind arrived, the rope was frayed, and it was a bit too short to tie. Even though it wasn't very powerful, the wind lifted up the umbrella and I attempted to catch it as it flew off the stand, but it pulled me along with it, and I ended up on the pole."

She claimed that once paramedics arrived and administered pain medication, firefighters used a saw to cut the pole's ends so she could be transported to the hospital.

Alex stated that she believes she performs well in tense or chaotic circumstances, even after the scare.

According to Alex, "I was like, 'oh my gosh, I've been impaled,' and I was a little frightened out at first, and my brain got heavy." However, assistance arrived, and I was able to lean on one of my coworkers. And because it was hot and bright, I begged them to cover my head with a towel.

Alex is aware of how fortunate she is that her injuries are not more severe.

She remarked, "I was quite fortunate where it struck me because it just went through my muscles and missed every major blood vessel." Therefore, there was no significant harm. In fact, it could have been lot worse.

The beach safety supervisor, Joe Bongiovanni, stated that Alex's response to everything demonstrates her personality.

Bongiovanni remarked, "I'll tell you that she's one tough monkey, and she's one of those people who is always optimistic, always smiling, and I've never seen her not smiling."

She hopes to visit the beach to see her fellow lifeguards shortly and says she will resume lifeguarding once she recovers.

Alex remarked, "I was disappointed to learn that I would need to take a six-week break."

Alex, who recently completed her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin, is in her second year as a lifeguard.

She also wants to warn people to tie down their umbrellas in the wake of her accident.