Members of the Margate Beach Patrol are commended for saving the life of an injured swimmer Labor Day weekend.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – An unconscious swimmer owes his life to the members of the Margate Beach Patrol.
“Because of their quick actions, a life was saved,” Margate Fire Chief Dan Adams told the Board of Commissioners Thursday, Sept. 21.
The board recognized a dozen lifeguards who make rescues every day, but this one “had significance,” Adams said.
“Without a doubt, being face down in the water, unconscious and unable to move, this person would not be here today if it were not for their heroic actions. Although they do rescues every day and train and prepare for it, they never expect to come across situations that are this serious,” he said.
Lifeguards were alerted to an unconscious man in the shallow rough surf off the Huntington Avenue beach at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. Their quick response had a direct impact on saving the injured swimmer’s life.
Lifeguards from the Huntington Avenue beach who were first to run into the water to save the swimmer were Lt. Kyle Pollock, and lifeguards Morgan Pizagno, Ava Ritzel and Matthew Patillo. The back-up crew responding to the emergency included Chief Greg Smallwood, Capt. Chuck LaBarre, his son Charlie LaBarre, Lieutenants Charles Gowdy, Michael Booth and Shane Graves, and lifeguards Christopher Spiers and Sean Cavanaugh.
Smallwood said other swimmers in the water assisted, and all worked in coordination with the Fire and Police departments to ensure the swimmer was rescued and transported to the hospital for lifesaving medical care.
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