“THE FIREFIGHTERS JUMPED RIGHT IN” — DESPERATE CPR EFFORT AFTER TWO CHILDREN WERE THROWN INTO BARNEGAT BAY

A devastating moment from the Barnegat Bay boat crash has now emerged through an eyewitness account of the desperate rescue effort that followed.

When the 30-foot boat struck a channel marker around 9 p.m. on July 19, two children were thrown into the dark water.

They were 9-year-old Mya Bella Golabek and her 7-year-old brother, Sigmund Paul Golabek. Both were later pronounced dead at a hospital.

FIRST RESPONDERS RUSHED TO HELP

Berkeley Township Councilman James Byrnes witnessed the emergency response.

He described firefighters immediately jumping into action as crews worked to save the children.

According to Byrnes, one of the children had a life jacket beside him while CPR was being performed.

He explained that the life jacket had to be removed so rescuers could properly perform the lifesaving procedure.

For the responders at the scene, there was no time to hesitate.

They worked desperately to revive the children before both were transported to a hospital in Toms River.

 HOW THE CRASH HAPPENED

Authorities say 64-year-old Stephen Schneider was operating a 30-foot Tidewater 280 when the vessel struck a wooden channel marker in Barnegat Bay.

The impact threw both children overboard.

Schneider and his wife retrieved the children from the water and brought them back to shore.

The channel marker was reportedly functioning properly, including its lights, when the collision occurred.

THE CASE HAS NOW BECOME A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

Schneider has since been charged with two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide, along with charges related to operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation.

Authorities allege he was impaired by alcohol at the time of the crash.

He voluntarily surrendered to police and remains in custody pending court proceedings.

The charges are allegations, and Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

TWO CHILDREN, ONE FAMILY’S UNIMAGINABLE LOSS

Mya and Sigmund were siblings described in tributes as extremely close.

Their deaths have shaken the Bayville community and left first responders carrying the memory of a rescue effort that ultimately could not save them.

The most haunting part of the eyewitness account may be the simplest:

Firefighters did everything they could in those critical moments.

 THEY JUMPED IN.

 THE CHILDREN WERE PULLED FROM THE DARK WATER.

 CPR WAS STARTED IMMEDIATELY.

BUT TWO YOUNG LIVES COULD NOT BE SAVED.

Now, as the criminal case moves forward, investigators and the children’s family are left to confront the circumstances that led to that tragic night on Barnegat Bay.

Independent commentary based on police statements and published eyewitness reporting. Criminal charges are allegations and not findings of guilt.