VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service (VBLS) disciplined one of its lifeguards Sunday after he fell asleep on a stand at the Oceanfront.
A picture was shared with 13News Now by Heather McGee, who was vacationing with her family at the Oceanfront.
"It's very upsetting considering there are families out there that are trying to enjoy the beach and if anything happens they need somebody to rely on," said McGee.
McGee also said that a VBLS supervisor assured her that the lifeguard will be suspended for two weeks.
"I'm a nurse and I work in the hospital every day, and I don't think if one of us was to fall asleep on the job, we would be okay to have the job back," said Tabitha Thoroughman, who is on vacation in Virginia Beach from Ohio.
Captain Tom Gill could not get into specifics of the measures VBLS took against the lifeguard.
He told 13News Now via text, "Appropriate disciplinary action was taken but, since it is a personnel matter at this time I am not at liberty to say. This does not represent our guards and the great work they have done this summer and will continue to do."
One parent said this incident will serve as a reminder that your kids' safety can't always be trusted to someone else.
"I am a responsible parent and I will keep an eye on my own children, so I am not concerned for their safety at the beach," said Beth Clark.
