Holiday Briton impaled by flying beach umbrella

A BRITISH pensioner is in hospital after being impaled by a beach umbrella.

Margaret Reynolds, 67, was skewered by the pole of a parasol after it was picked up by a gust of wind and flew across a beach in the US.

The Londoner, who was on holiday, was freed by fire crews who used bolt cutters to cut the pole after it went straight through her right ankle.

She was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Centre following the incident at Seaside Heights, New Jersey, on Monday.

Local police chief Tommy Boyd said she remains in hospital following the freak accident.

He said: ‘There was a strong south-easterly wind blowing and it was windy on the beach.

‘Somebody’s umbrella wasn’t attached properly and it blew out. The steel part went through her right ankle.

‘You don’t want to pull it out so we had the deputy fire chief cut it with bolt cutters.

‘I understand the woman is doing well. I don’t believe she has any long-standing injuries.’