“THE FIREFIGHTERS JUMPED RIGHT IN”: WITNESS REVEALS DESPERATE FIGHT TO SAVE 7-YEAR-OLD AFTER BARNEGAT BAY CRASH

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY — The frantic rescue effort that followed a deadly boating crash on Barnegat Bay is coming into sharper focus, with an eyewitness describing the desperate moments first responders fought to save a 7-year-old boy.

Sigmund Paul Golabek, 7, was among two young siblings thrown into the water when a 30-foot boat crashed into a channel marker late Saturday night.

A local councilman who witnessed the emergency response said firefighters immediately rushed toward the children as rescuers worked to pull them from the dark waters.

“THE FIREFIGHTERS JUMPED RIGHT IN”

The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on July 19 near Berkeley Township.

According to authorities, the boat struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay, sending Sigmund and his 9-year-old sister, Mya Bella Golabek, into the water.

Emergency crews raced to the scene.

The eyewitness described firefighters entering the water and joining the rescue effort as first responders searched for the children.

Then came a frantic battle on the dock.

THEY CUT AWAY THE LIFE JACKET

When Sigmund was brought out of the water, he was still wearing a life jacket.

According to the eyewitness account, firefighters cut the life jacket off the boy so they could begin CPR.

The rescuers immediately worked to revive him while emergency medical personnel continued lifesaving treatment.

It was a race against time.

But despite the extraordinary efforts of the first responders, Sigmund could not be saved.

His 9-year-old sister, Mya, also died after the crash.

TWO CHILDREN, TWO TRAGIC LOSSES

Mya and Sigmund were siblings who, according to their loved ones, were extremely close.

Mya was remembered as a creative child who loved swimming, sports and crafts.

Sigmund enjoyed baseball, basketball and swimming.

Their deaths have devastated their family and the community.

What began as a night on the water ended with two children losing their lives.

GRANDfather ACCUSED IN DEADLY CRASH

Authorities have charged 64-year-old Stephen Schneider, the children’s grandfather, in connection with the crash.

Investigators allege Schneider was operating the 30-foot boat while under the influence when it struck the channel marker.

He later surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody.

Schneider faces charges including two second-degree death-by-vessel/homicide counts, boating under the influence and reckless operation.

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

INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW RECONSTRUCTING THE NIGHT

Authorities are examining the circumstances leading up to the collision, including the boat’s operation and the condition of the channel marker.

A local official who witnessed the aftermath said the marker’s light was operating.

Investigators have not yet publicly released a complete reconstruction explaining exactly why the vessel collided with the marker.

The investigation is expected to examine the operator’s alleged impairment as well as other factors surrounding the crash.

A RESCUE CREW REFUSED TO GIVE UP

For the firefighters who reached Sigmund on the dock, there was no time to think about what had happened.

They had a child who needed immediate medical attention.

They cut away his life jacket.

They began CPR.

They fought to keep him alive.

But ultimately, they could not change the outcome.

The eyewitness account offers a heartbreaking glimpse into the final rescue effort surrounding the 7-year-old.

THE MOMENTS THAT WILL STAY WITH WITNESSES

A child being pulled from the water.

Firefighters rushing toward him.

A life jacket being cut away.

CPR beginning on the dock.

And a family waiting for a miracle that never came.

Those are the moments witnesses will remember from the night Barnegat Bay became the scene of an unimaginable tragedy.

Now, investigators must determine exactly what led to the crash and whether the criminal allegations against the boat’s operator can be proven in court.

For the Golabek family, however, the legal questions cannot erase the most painful fact of all:

Mya was 9. Sigmund was 7. And neither child came home.

This report is based on publicly reported information and eyewitness accounts. Criminal charges against Stephen Schneider remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.