Beachgoer in hospital after being hit by lifeguard's truck

VIRGINIA BEACH 

A beachgoer was still in the hospital Tuesday after being struck by a lifeguard's truck Aug. 17, an official with the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at 5:45 p.m. on the beach near 35th Street, said Chief Kent Hinnant, president of the Lifesaving Service, which provides lifeguards for the city. A lifeguard supervisor was driving when she accidentally struck a person, he said. Hinnant declined to provide names or details of how the crash occurred but said this is the first incident like this in the Lifeguard Service's 79-year history. It is being handled by the service's insurance company, he said.

The Police Department does not have a report on the crash, said Officer Jimmy Barnes, a police spokesman.

The lifeguard, who is also a paramedic, provided immediate medical treatment before the injured person was transported to the hospital, Hinnant said. The lifeguard supervisor is still working for the Lifeguard Service and has been employed there for 10 years, he said.

"It was an unfortunate accident," he said. "Hopefully the fellow will have a speedy recovery."