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11-Year-Old Girl Rescued By Photographer After Nearly Drowning At Coney Island
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Aug 20, 2017
Modified Aug 20, 2017
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By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Aug 20, 2017
Modified Aug 20, 2017
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An 11-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital Saturday after she nearly drowned while swimming off the shore of Coney Island, an FDNY spokesperson said.
The child went under around 1:30 p.m. near West 33rd Street and was rescued in shallow waters by beach-goer William O’Connor, as well as a handful of lifeguards, according to witnesses.
"I dove right in and literally swam into her," O'Connor, who works in the city as a photographer, told the Post. “I picked her up and handed her to a lifeguard. I can’t believe I literally dove into the water and dove into her. I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.’
"I tell you the lifeguards, they definitely did their job," O'Connor added to the Daily News. "A bunch of them jumped in the water as soon as they realized someone was drowning."
The girl was raced to Coney Island Hospital in serious condition, an FDNY spokesperson said.
"They found her, they brought her unresponsive body to the beach, and when they were done she was breathing," witness Rob Lambert told ABC-7. "She wasn't responsive, but she was breathing."
The girl's grandmother was also taken to the hospital, and appeared to suffer a hear attack during the ordeal, according to onlookers who spoke with ABC.
The condition of the rescued girl and her grandmother is not known at this time—we'll update as soon as more information becomes available.
Tagged
beach
coney island
drowning
life guards
rescue
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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