Man Injured While Bodysurfing; Beach Patrol Able To Get Man Breathing Again

OCEAN CITY — An unidentified man suffered back and neck injuries while bodysurfing in the ocean off 82nd Street on Wednesday, and although his condition is not known, there were reasons for optimism after he was taken from the beach by ambulance.

Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, a possible water rescue in progress was reported on the beach at 82ndStreet, raising almost immediate concern in the resort community that had experienced two rip-current related drownings in the span of about two weeks earlier in June. However, the incident turned out to be a neck and back injury related to bodysurfing and not another active water rescue, although no less serious or concerning.

According to Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin, the victim was bodysurfing in the area of 82nd Street when the guard saw him lying face down in shallow water near the surf line. Arbin said bystanders began an attempt to drag the victim from the water, but were immediately warned by the Surf Rescue Technician (SRT) not to move him.

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