Boy Who Almost Died In 2015 Surf City Sand Collapse Reunites With His Rescuers

The boy who almost died last summer when he became trapped in a sand collapse on the 17th Street in Surf City came back recently to thank his rescuers, according to the Surf City Police Department Facebook page.

"Today, we all got to meet with Edgar and his family, and we are happy to report he made a full recovery after months of specialized care at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania," the post states. "We are glad to have him back and wish him and his two twin brothers the best of luck in the future. Please remember, the sand on the beach can be unstable and digging deep holes is dangerous and prohibited."

Surf City police, Surf City Fire Department members and guards from the Surf City Beach Patrol stopped by to greet the boy, whose full name has not been released.

"Today was a very special day for some of our officers, as well as members from Surf City Fire Department/EMS and guards from Surf City Beach Patrol. Last year, all of these individuals took part in the rescue of the boy who became trapped in the sand on the beach after the hole he dug collapsed."

Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney - who is also a longtime Surf City Fire Department member and former chief - told Patch last year he was at home when he was told about the accident.

“I was seven blocks away and got there in two minutes,” Hartney said. ”When I got there, he was breathing.”

Lifeguards and beach goers had pulled the boy out the the sand when it collapsed. Initially he was not breathing, but began breathing after he was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he said.

Hartney had already called the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department to arrange for a helicopter to transport the boy to a trauma center. Paramedics met the helicopter at the Ethel Jacobsen School in Surf City. The boy was then flown to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden, Hartley said.

Photo credit: Surf City Police Department