On September 21, 2009, at approximately 6:30 P. M., Ocean City Police, Fire Departments and Beach Patrol responded to 35th Street and the beach, in reference to swimmers in distress. Ocean City Fire Department personnel Amanda Shoemaker and Maria Berdan were first to arrive at the scene.
Witnesses on the beach related that two males were in the ocean and in distress. Berdan and Shoemaker observed a distressed swimmer about 50 yards from the shore. Both OCFD personnel entered the water. The first person rescued was a 16 year old male, who advised that his father was still out in the ocean. OCFD Firefighter Berdan remained in the water and continued to search for the missing adult male. Off-Duty OC Beach Patrol personnel Lt. Ward Kovacs and SRT Conner Braniff arrived at the scene to assist with the water search for the missing adult male.
Rescue personnel remained in the ocean for over 40 minutes attempting to locate the missing male. The Maryland State Police helicopter and U. S. Coast Guard arrived in the area to assist with the search. At approximately 7:10 P.M., a surfer spotted the male two blocks north of the initial call. Rescue personnel entered the water and removed the male. Paramedics began CPR on the beach, both the adult male and the 16 year old were transported to Atlantic General Hospital.
The 16 year old son was treated and released. The adult male (father) was pronounced dead at the hospital. The deceased has been identified as Richard Robert Wagner, 52, of Boyds, Maryland.
The Ocean City Beach Patrol, Police and Fire Departments recommend citizens to use caution when swimming in the ocean even when life guards are present on the beach. Rip currents are very powerful and can overcome unsuspecting swimmers. The Ocean City Beach Patrol advises citizens to swim only when life guards are on duty, which is between 10 A.M. and 5:30 P. M. daily.
This schedule will remain in effect until this Sunday. If you are caught in a rip current, remember to remain calm, don’t panic and call for help, swim parallel to the beach for the length of a backyard pool, then swim at an angle toward the beach. OC Beach Patrol reminds citizens to keep their feet in the sand until the life guard is in the stand.
5 comments:
Way to go Amanda.....Good job!!!
OCFD ROCKS! They had surf rescue training/refresher just that morning. RIP for the father.
Very sad for the father. The rescue was a team effort. Two additional vollies were next in the water, followed by the duty engine crew. Two from Beach Patrol (both also vol. fire dept. members) the first arriving medic crew, two vollies, the paid engine, two vollie Chiefs along with the Fire Chief. Textbook working together.
My Prayers go out to the family. Imagine going on vacation as a family, then return home minus a loved one. Such a shame.
My prayers go out especially to the 16 year old son. This will be a difficult burden to bear. Just know that your fathers love is never ending.
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