ROCKAWAY BEACH – A 17-year-old drowned on Sunday evening near Beach 84th Street after riptides carried him and a friend away from shore and under the waves.Lifeguards had already ended their shifts and vacated their chairs when they were alerted of two teenagers in distress offshore around 7:30pm. By the time rescuers pulled the younger teen – a 17-year-old boy who’s identity has not yet been released – from the water, he was unconscious and no longer breathing. Medics rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said, while his 18-year-old companion survived. First responders included NYC Parks Lifeguards, as well as the NYPD’s Aviation and Marine Units, EMS, and the FDNY.
The teens had entered the water more than an hour after lifeguards had ended their shifts at 6pm and left the beach, though many remained close by in their station houses due to heat advisory that had been issued that day. Swimming at NYC beaches is not permitted after lifeguards go off-duty at 6pm. City beaches are open until September 13.
