Share

Teenager impaled by beach umbrella while on holiday

accreditation
Beach umbrella. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)
Beach umbrella. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)

A 13-year-old boy was left with serious injuries after being impaled by a beach umbrella during a family outing.

The teen, whose name has not yet been released, was at Gloucester Beach in Massachusetts on Friday 9 August when the horrific incident occurred, People reports.

In a statement released by the Gloucester Fire Department, the umbrella was airborne before it pierced the youngster’s shoulder.

The boy was rushed to the Beverly Hospital, Inside Edition reports.

“When I saw what happened I ran down and when I got there, there was a hole in the kid’s shoulder,” eyewitness, Jacob Vargus, told 7 News Boston.

“So I started to talk to him, another lady started tying a tourniquet and others called the paramedics.”

Another eyewitness says they hope other beachgoers learn from this tragic incident.

“These things, unfortunately, happen all of the time. People don’t dig the umbrellas down firmly and they can hurt you.

“Hopefully this is a lesson for people at the beach to seriously dig their umbrella poles deep into the ground so they don’t come out and hurt anybody.”

Fire captain Nick Ouellette says the teenager was alert and calm when paramedics arrived on the scene.

“To my best guess, it was a freak accident,” Ouellette says.

The boy is expected to make a full recovery.

Sources: People, Inside Edition, 7 News Boston

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()