ASBURY PARK, N.J. (WCBS) – A lifeguard who was impaled by an umbrella on a beach in New Jersey is lucky to be alive. The lifeguard, only identified as 18-year-old Alex, shared a photo from her hospital bed, holding up the piece of the umbrella pole that went through her arm.

A New Jersey lifeguard who was impaled by an umbrella​ left a hospital on Thursday and later recounted the terrifying ordeal.

An Asbury Park lifeguard sitting on the stand was impaled by a beach umbrella Wednesday morning that entered her armpit and exited her back, a fire official said. Officials had to cut the pole, which was about an inch in diameter, on both sides to fit her into the ambulance, officials said.