Bystanders, lifeguards hailed as heroes after rescuing 8 teens, 2 adults from boat crash
A team of bystanders and lifeguards in Avalon, New Jersey, are being hailed as heroes for helping to rescue 10 people following a sailing lesson gone wrong.
According to Avalon Yacht Club, eight teenagers and two sailing instructors were out on a sailboat, with sails not raised, off the coast of Avalon on Wednesday. Avalon Yacht Club General Manager Joe Mendez told Philadelphia ABC station WPVI the instructors were using the engine when it unexpectedly stopped working and dangerous weather conditions contributed to the boat crashing into a jetty.
The bystanders and lifeguards jumped into action and managed to pull all 10 people to shore in a rescue caught on camera. About 40 lifeguards and several agencies responded at the time.
"We had several assets out there: our ski, lifeboats, paddle boards," Avalon Beach Patrol Chief Matt Wolf told WPVI.
"There's not too many people or organizations who could pull off a rescue like that. Some of those lifeguards that were down there today went above and beyond," Wolf added.
Wolf said Townsends Inlet is considered one of the most dangerous bodies of water on the East Coast.
"I've been working for 28 years. That's probably the most wild rescue that I ever personally witnessed," Wolf said.
The eight teens and the two instructors were all wearing lifejackets but were forced to abandon the boat -- named "What Exit" -- and escape into the water. No one was reported hurt after the incident.
"The boat didn't fare so well, but that's OK. Property can be replaced, people can't," Mendez said.
Avalon Yacht Club says it is meeting this weekend to investigate what happened and change any protocols if necessary.
