Boy digging hole on LBI beach injured when sand collapses on him

Authorities say a young boy digging a hole on a southern New Jersey beach was injured when the sand suddenly caved in on him.

The 12-year-old boy was on the 17th Street Beach in Surf City when the accident occurred Monday.

Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney says lifeguards and bystanders freed the boy and witnesses reported bystanders performed CPR.

He says the boy was breathing and in stable condition when he was flown to a hospital.

It’s not known what caused the sand collapse. Hartney says Surf City requires holes be kept to one-foot deep.

The accident came just days after authorities in nearby Harvey Cedars posted a warning about the dangers of digging deep holes on the

beach, noting that dozens of people have been killed or injured in sand collapses across the country.

Related: Beach patrol: Digging deep holes on the beach is dangerous