NORTH WILDWOOD – Being “in the right place at the right time” was used by both Maria Mattera and Capt. Bill Ciazarelli of North Wildwood Beach Patrol to describe a rescue that occurred Aug. 14. It was evening, just as the sun began to set, and all seemed peaceful and going as usual for a busy summer night. Until tragedy almost struck.
Mattera, 54, a Public Works employee, was working overtime by picking up trash along the beach at 18th Avenue when she happened to look up and saw a group of people. Mattera realized that two individuals were struggling in the surf.
“I called 911,” Mattera said, “and told them I was going in the water.”
Stripping off her boots and vest, Mattera went into the water where all she saw “was the top of his hair.” The second male swimmer made it out of the water, assisted by lifeguards and police who had arrived on the scene. According to Mattera, the two male swimmers were in the water “after hours” and she urges swimmers not to swim in unattended areas.
“I did what I had to do,” Mattera said simply during a phone interview. “My conscience was bothering me – I was in the right place at the right time. I felt good about it.”
Mattera said she “grew up near the water” in the Wildwoods. She worked for another municipality before transferring to North Wildwood.
“She’s a trooper,” said Ciazarelli. His account of the event blended with Mattera’s, adding that they took her to Beach Patrol headquarters to make sure that “she was okay” after the rescue.
Mary Kalin, a friend of Mattera, first brought the event to the Herald’s attention, saying, “There’s so much gloom and doom” and people should know what happened Aug. 14.
A commendation will be presented to Mattera at the next North Wildwood City Council meeting Sept. 1.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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