“THE FIREFIGHTERS JUMPED RIGHT IN”: WITNESS RECALLS DESPERATE CPR EFFORT TO SAVE 7-YEAR-OLD BOY AFTER BARNEGAT BAY CRASH
“THE FIREFIGHTERS JUMPED RIGHT IN”: WITNESS RECALLS DESPERATE CPR EFFORT TO SAVE 7-YEAR-OLD BOY AFTER BARNEGAT BAY CRASH
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY — The chaotic moments immediately following a deadly Barnegat Bay boating crash have come into sharper focus, with an eyewitness describing the desperate efforts first responders made to save a 7-year-old boy.
The child, Sigmund Paul Golabek, was among two siblings thrown into the water after a 30-foot boat collided with a channel marker.
A local Berkeley Township councilman who witnessed the emergency response recalled firefighters rushing into action as rescuers fought to get the children out of the water.
FIREFIGHTERS RUSHED TO THE SCENE
The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. on July 19 near Berkeley Township.
According to investigators, the boat struck a channel marker, sending Sigmund and his 9-year-old sister, Mya Bella Golabek, into Barnegat Bay.
Emergency crews responded immediately.
The eyewitness said firefighters went into the water as rescuers worked in difficult nighttime conditions to locate and retrieve the children.
Once Sigmund was brought to the dock, the emergency response became even more urgent.
LIFE JACKET CUT AWAY AS CPR BEGAN
Sigmund was wearing a life jacket when he was recovered.
According to the eyewitness, firefighters cut the life jacket away so they could begin performing CPR on the child.
The rescuers worked desperately on the dock, attempting to restore his breathing and circulation while emergency medical personnel continued treatment.
The scene was a race against time.
But despite the intensive efforts of the first responders, Sigmund could not be saved.
His 9-year-old sister also died following the crash.
TWO CHILDREN LOST IN A MATTER OF MINUTES
Mya and Sigmund were siblings described by loved ones as extremely close.
Mya, 9, was remembered for her creativity and love of sports, swimming and crafts.
Sigmund, 7, enjoyed baseball, basketball and swimming and loved spending time with his family.
Their deaths have left relatives and friends mourning two children whose lives ended during what should have been an ordinary summer outing.
GRANDfather FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES
The investigation has focused on 64-year-old Stephen Schneider, the children’s grandfather and alleged operator of the boat.
Authorities accuse Schneider of operating the vessel while under the influence before it struck the channel marker.
Schneider surrendered to police and was taken into custody.
He faces charges including two counts of second-degree death by vessel/homicide, boating under the influence and reckless operation.
The allegations remain unproven in court, and Schneider is presumed innocent unless convicted.
INVESTIGATORS ARE RECONSTRUCTING THE CRASH
Authorities are examining what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.
Investigators will consider the boat’s speed and direction, visibility, navigation, the condition of the channel marker and the operator’s alleged impairment.
The channel marker’s lighting has also been discussed in accounts of the crash, with a local official saying its light was operating.
A complete official reconstruction has not yet been publicly released.
A DESPERATE RESCUE THAT COULD NOT SAVE HIM
For the firefighters who responded that night, there was no time to think about what might have happened later.
They had two children in the water.
They had to get them out.
And once Sigmund reached the dock, they fought to keep him alive.
Cutting away his life jacket and beginning CPR was part of that desperate effort.
But the rescuers ultimately faced the heartbreaking reality that their efforts were not enough.
Sigmund was only 7 years old.
His sister Mya was 9.
Both children died after the crash.
NOW, THE INVESTIGATION MOVES FORWARD
As investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, the family is left dealing with an unimaginable loss.
The eyewitness account offers a glimpse into the frantic response that unfolded after the crash—but it cannot capture the full devastation left behind.
Two children went into the water.
First responders rushed toward them.
They performed CPR and fought to save their lives.
And despite every effort, neither child came home.
This report is based on publicly reported information and eyewitness accounts. Charges against Stephen Schneider are allegations, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
