Shallow-water Dive Injures Man, 18

June 29, 1986
Source: Unknown

A Pennsylvania man suffered serious injury Saturday after apparently diving into shallow water from the 11th Street beach where he was spending the day with friends, according to Beach Patrol Capt.  Oliver Muzslay.

George Butera, 18, of Norristown, was in serious but stable condition in Shore Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit, a spokeswoman for the Somers Point facility said Wednesday adding he was expected to be transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Although Muzslay said rescue personnel speculated Butera may have suffered a spiral injury in the 1:45 p.m.  incident, the hospital spokeswoman said she couldn’t comment whether the victim was paralyzed because it would violate invasion of privacy policy.

Lifeguard Ed Keenan, an eight-year veteran of the patrol, observed Butera lying face down in the surf and immediately went to render aid, Muzslay said.

“The individual was motionless,” Muzslay said.  “He (Keenan) rushed out to the knee-deep water to help him.

The victim was conscious and able to tell the lifeguard he wasn’t feeling well and that he had no feeling in his arms and legs, Muzslay added.

Meanwhile Keenan summoned additional aid and the Rescue Squad transported Butera to the hospital.

Muzslay noted a similar incident occurred at the same beach two years ago when an older man struck his head on the ocean bottom.  He apparently damaged his cervical cord but recovered a year later, he said.