Beachgoer Impaled in Freak Umbrella Accident
Summer is officially here, and Americans across the country are hitting the beach to soak up some sun and waves. But the beach isn't completely safe from danger, whether it's from rip currents or the very items you're using to enjoy your day.
Sybil Licht's recent beach day at Cocoa Beach in Florida turned into a terrifying nightmare as the umbrella that her family rented on the beach became dislodged from the sand and the pole impaled her left leg. Representatives for the Cocoa Beach Police Department told WESH that authorities used bolt cutters to separate the umbrella canopy from the pole as the wind caused it to move while in her leg.
"Although officers responded, the matter was a medical call and handled by the Cocoa Beach Fire Department and Brevard County Fire Rescue," police said, per Fox News. "We do not have any more information."
It's not the first time an umbrella pole has caused a Final Destination-like incident at the beach. Last year, a woman in South Carolina died after she was impaled in the chest with an umbrella. And in 2019, a 13-year-old boy on vacation in Massachusetts was hospitalized after suffering a similar injury.
Always ensure your umbrella is secure in the sand, and if it gets too windy and might become a danger to others, it's probably best to close it up.