Mike “Hud” Hudson (Source: Sea Bright Fire Rescue Facebook page)
A 53-year-old paramedic and Sea Bright Ocean Rescue Captain died unexpectedly in his Highlands home on Thursday. His passing has caused the Jersey shore community to be in a state of mourning.
“It is with great sorrow and sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Chief of Ocean Rescue Michael “Hud” Hudson,” according to a Facebook post.
“Chief Hudson was the pillar of Ocean Rescue, a true waterman. His commitment and efforts lead Sea Bright to be on the forefront of modern day surf lifesaving. We stand together with our brothers and sisters of Sea Bright Ocean Rescue during this difficult time,” the post concluded.
The death of Mike Hudson has left the community in complete shock. According to reports, Hudson was running drills just two days ago.
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“I’m chatting with people here on the beach just sort of staring and thinking He was just here, we just saw him,” News12 reporter Brian Donohue reported.
“It was heartbreaking, and we couldn’t believe it,” lifeguard John Forsman said, “not having him here is hard.”
There is currently no information available about Hudson’s cause of death.
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Sea Bright decided to recruit Hudson to help with the reconstruction.
(Source: Sea Bright Fire Rescue Facebook page)
More from News 12:
Hudson was also hired as a safety supervisor by the “Jackass” film series and by the producers of Shark Week when they needed a paramedic and dive safety supervisor to keep people safe on risky film shoots.
“He’s just a remarkable guy. Full of energy, larger than life. Always busy, always thinking about the next idea,” says Rob Maloney, father of a Sea Bright lifeguard. “I heard a guy once say, ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space,’ and that was Mike.”
Many of the lifeguards in Sea Bright describe Hudson as a rare mix of hard-driving disciplinarian and a fun-loving superhero-type character.
The guards say that Hudson pushed them and inspired them and awed them with his stories – like the time he saved a stuntman being attacked by sharks on the set of “Jackass: Shark Week.” He used a technique he developed called the “Sea Bright tourniquet.”
“That was one of the things he stressed – was doing the right thing, even when no one is around,” says Forsman.
Those who knew him vowed to continue what he helped build in Sea Bright and the lessons he instilled in their own lives.
“The biggest disrespect we could do to Mike is to not uphold the standard that he set, and we’re going to work very diligently to make sure we continue to do that,” says Sea Bright Beach Manager Don Klein.
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