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A 16-year-old Cape May lifeguard died Friday evening, a day after his patrol boat capsized in rough waters, family and local authorities have confirmed.
Norman Inferrera of Phoenixville, Pa., Recently completed his training and was spending his first summer working as a lifeguard for the city.
Waves were rough early Thursday and Inferrera was on a routine patrol in the waters off Reading Avenue Beach to keep swimmers close to shore, family and officials said.
Inferrera hit his head on the boat and lost consciousness, according to a statement released by his family. He was resuscitated twice by fellow rescuers and taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden, where he was in a coma. He suffered extensive brain damage and other injuries, the family said.
“The grief that the family is going through is overwhelming,” Price wrote in an email to NJ Advance Media.
Inferrera, who lived in North Wildwood during the summer, was to be a junior at Phoenixville Area High School in the fall and would be 17 in October.
He kept himself “in top physical shape” and often arrived at work early so that he could participate in more lifeguard activities.
“He would also stay after his shift was over,” Price said. “He absolutely loved his job.
Inferrera – who was nicknamed “Champ” – has been “involved in numerous rescues”, including that of a 4-year-old child, his aunt said.
She called him an “exceptional young man” who did well in school and was “respectful and kind to everyone”.
“Champ’s smile brightened everyone’s day and his enthusiasm for life was contagious,” said Price.
The family is asking people to donate to a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical costs.
Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock said Inferrera was loved by fellow rescuers.
“No words can express the sadness that our entire Beach Patrol family suffers,” Mullock said. “Norman chose to protect others. He did it professionally and worked hard. It is an extraordinary attribute for anyone, especially at 16 years old.
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Brent Johnson can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @ johnsb01.
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