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FDNY Rescues Two People And Their Inflatable Swan Float In East River


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jul 20, 2020


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A photo of the FDNY hauling in a giant inflatable swan from the East River

FDNY


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jul 20, 2020


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It was pretty hot outside this weekend, so it's understandable that New Yorkers were looking for creative ways to enjoy the outdoors in a responsible, socially distanced way. However, two people may have taken it a bit too far when they hopped onto a giant inflatable swan and ended up having to be rescued after floating out into the East River.

The FDNY says the incident happened around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday when they responded to a report of missing people in the water in the East River near East 55th Street. They rescued the two people "after their inflatable swan pool float became overcome by a fast moving current and was met with heavy marine traffic."

"FDNY urges New Yorkers to always take precautions when swimming or entering the water surrounding our city," they added. "Only enter the water where swimming is permitted and where lifeguards are on duty. "

Perhaps instead of taking their swan to the East River, those two should have considered investing in an inflatable pool—what the Washington Post is calling "the official symbol of America's lost summer." Several were spotted around the city this weekend.

The inflatable swan float wasn't the only water activity happening around the city this weekend: also on Sunday, "dozens" of Trump supporters took a trip around the harbor to support Trump 2020 and yell, “all hail King Trump."

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swan

fdny

east river

inflatable

rescue


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas 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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