AVALON — Avalon police responded to a call of a medical emergency on the 30th Street beach Aug. 24 at 1:51p.m. on a report of an unresponsive man on the beach.

It was reported that the man had been in the ocean, exited the ocean, and then collapsed on the beach. The man had been enjoying the beach with friends, who upon seeing his condition began to perform CPR.

Avalon Police and the Avalon Rescue Squad both responded.

Police identified the man as Kristopher Zuccato, 32, of Stone Harbor who was a well-known surfer. Zuccato was immediately transported to Cape Regional Medical Center in Court House, where he was pronounced deceased.

Kevin Scarpa, Chief of Avalon’s Emergency Medical Services, said a call from the lifeguard at 30th Street was received by the EMT team 1:48 p.m. and medics were on the scene by 1:52 p.m., arriving within three and a half minutes of the initial call.

Scarpa said the lifeguard saw two people attempting to resuscitate the man and did not interrupt. Scarpa said Zuccato, who never regained pulse or consciousness, was taken off the beach within 11 minutes of authorities being notified.

Later that same day Zuccato’s family and friends gathered at the 30th Street beach for a memorial service. Zuccato is remembered as a beach lover and his family plans to put his ashes in the Atlantic Ocean.

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com