A viral video has recorded the heroic moment an ex-Marine sprung into action to rescue a swimmer trapped in a rip current off the US’ Jersey Shore this past Labor Day weekend. Thirty-five-year-old Stephen Hauser had been recording a YouTube video of him and his family surfing off Long Beach Island when he spotted swimmers struggling to keep the victim, Gabe McCabe, above water in the powerful tide.
Venturing over on his board, Hauser reaches out to McCabe who clings onto the board in a desperate attempt to reach land. McCabe expressed his shock, exclaiming that the current ‘whipped’ him around. Straining, both swimmers successfully managed to make it back with the assistance of other swimmers also present.
McCabe himself spoke to ABC7 following the incident, expressing that he has ‘never experienced anything like it’ and how it had ‘sucked the energy out of him.’ Hauser on the other hand, recalled his own experience with rip currents and how several were reported on the shore during the same day.
Three swimmers have died, and several others had to be rescued due to rip currents at Jersey Shore over the weekend. https://t.co/dyyOoQNfo1
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) September 5, 2023
Stressing on the importance of not panicking and remaining focused when caught in a strong tide, Hauser explained how his inflatable board had saved them, remarking how ‘Gabe grabbed onto that board, [he] knew [he] had him.’
Hauser himself downplayed his role as the hero, stating that someone else in the same situation would have done the same. It was certainly a miracle for all involved that no fatalities occurred, much of the success owed to the concerted efforts of rescuers on the day. It is also a lesson in maintaining caution when swimming in the ocean, particularly when rip currents are present.