Man Flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center For Injuries Sustained While Body Surfing

A 51-year-old Lopatcong man was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center this evening after police said he was injured while body surfing in Harvey Cedars.

Patrick McCloskey was body surfing around 3:30 p.m. at 80th Street Beach when the wave he was surfing "drove him down, striking his head into the sand bar," according to a prepared statement from Harvey Cedars Chief of Police Thomas Preiser.

Preiser said lifeguards saw the incident as it occurred, and Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol responded and rescued him from the water. He was unconscious, not breathing, and had neck and back injuries, according to the statement.

Officials with Barnegat Light First Aid Squad transported him to Southern Ocean Hospital in Stafford. He was then flown to Jersey Shore.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.