“THE FIREMEN JUMPED RIGHT IN” — DESPERATE RESCUE EFFORTS AFTER BARNEGAT BAY CRASH

A terrifying scene unfolded on the Jersey Shore after a boat slammed into a channel marker in Barnegat Bay, sending two young siblings into the dark water.

Among those caught in the emergency response was 7-year-old Sigmund Paul Golabek.

 FIRST RESPONDERS RUSHED TO HELP

An eyewitness account has shed new light on the frantic moments after the children were pulled from the bay.

According to the account, firefighters immediately began working to provide emergency medical assistance, including removing the boy’s life jacket so they could perform CPR.

The response came after the children had been thrown from the boat when it struck a wooden channel marker.

Both children were ultimately taken to a local hospital, where they later died.

 A 7-YEAR-OLD BOY AND HIS 9-YEAR-OLD SISTER

The victims were identified as Sigmund, 7, and his sister Mya Bella Golabek, 9.

They had been spending time with their grandparents when the tragedy occurred on July 19.

Authorities said the children were thrown overboard after the 30-foot vessel struck the channel marker in Berkeley Township.

THEIR GRANDFATHER NOW FACES HOMICIDE CHARGES

Their grandfather, Stephen Schneider, 64, was later charged in connection with the crash.

Authorities allege that Schneider was impaired by alcohol while operating the boat.

He faces two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide, along with charges related to operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation.

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

THE MOMENTS AFTER THE CRASH

For those at the scene, there was little time to think.

The children had been thrown into the water at night, and emergency responders immediately faced the task of getting them out and trying to save them.

The reported eyewitness description of firefighters rushing to perform CPR captures just how desperate those first minutes were.

But despite the rescue efforts, the children could not be saved.

 TWO CHILDREN WHO SHOULD HAVE GONE HOME

Mya was only nine.

Sigmund was seven.

A family outing ended with two children being rushed to the hospital and a family left grieving both siblings.

Now the criminal investigation will focus on what happened aboard the boat, what led to the collision and whether alcohol impairment played a role.

 A BOAT HIT A CHANNEL MARKER.

 TWO CHILDREN WERE THROWN INTO THE WATER.

FIRST RESPONDERS FOUGHT TO SAVE THEM.

AND TWO YOUNG SIBLINGS NEVER MADE IT HOME.

Independent commentary based on publicly reported information. Criminal charges are allegations, and Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.