Case Reported Sunday, 9-14-08

For Immediate Release

 

Eric Cannon, age 16 and Edwin Mason, age 13 came to Atlantic City for a day trip with their family.  The family arrived at approximately 3:00pm and went to the beach at States Avenue. Atlantic City Beach Patrol lifeguards were on duty. The lifeguards went off duty at 6:00pm; however the family remained on the beach.  The surf conditions were dangerous, the tide was high and the waves were rough.  The wind was coming out of the South causing the waves to be choppy.

Eric Cannon was in the ocean and began to get pulled out to sea.  His younger brother, Edwin, entered the ocean to help him.  At this point both boys got into trouble and began to yell for help.  Two uncles on the shoreline, one of them a pool lifeguard for four years, entered the ocean to rescue the boys.  The uncles soon had trouble in the ocean.  At the sight of the arriving police officers the uncles were able to get to the shore to safety. 

Officer David Shapiro, a former Atlantic City lifeguard, Officer Thomas Moynihan, Officer Jacob Abbruscato, Officer Jeremy Niremberg immediately entered the surf to rescue the boys.  Eric was holding onto his submerged brothers’ arm as Officer Shapiro reached the boys.   Officer Shapiro stated that he dove under water and observed Eric holding onto his brothers’ arm.  Officers’ Moynihan and Niremberg rescued Eric Cannon and with the aid of Officer Abbruscato and bought him to shore safely.  Eric was calling to the officers to help his brother.   He was yelling to the Officers “Help my brother, don’t let him die.”  Once Eric knew that Officer Shapiro had a hold of his brother he released his arm and allowed himself to be rescued.

Officer Shapiro did rescue Edwin and began to swim toward the shore with Edwin.  Edwin was not conscious.

The force of the ocean was pushing Edwin underneath Garden Pier.  This increased the danger to both Edwin and Officer Shapiro due to the concrete columns and rebar underneath Garden Pier.  Officer Shapiro worked as an Atlantic City lifeguard at this same beach for three years.  He is well aware of the treacherous conditions that lie underneath Garden Pier.

Upon reaching the shoreline Officer Paul Petinga, Officer Glenn Abrams Jr. and Sergeant Mary Grace Cooke began CPR.   AtlantiCare ambulance and Medic 1 arrived and continued the CPR until reaching the medical center.  Edwin was listed in critical condition and transferred via helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

I spoke to the boys’ mother, Ms. Keisha Mason this morning.  She was crying and indicated she had only left the beach moments prior to this incident.  She had taken the younger children to the boardwalk to use the restroom when she received the frantic call about her sons in the ocean.  Ms. Mason indicated that Edwin is still listed in critical condition at Children’s Hospital.  She added that Eric was transported to Children’s Hospital and he too has been admitted.  Eric is listed in stable condition. 

A press conference is scheduled for 1:00pm at New Jersey Avenue and the boardwalk.  Atlantic City Beach Patrol Chief Rod Aluise, Sergeant Mary Grace Cooke and Officer David Shapiro will be present.

Sergeant Monica McMenamin

Atlantic City Police Department

2715 Atlantic Avenue

Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401

609-347-6472 (voice)

609-347-6989 (fax)