Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man Dies After Falling Into East River At Domino Park
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jun 17, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo by Marc Azoulay ©JR-ART.net
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jun 17, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A man drowned after falling into the East River near Domino Park on Wednesday, police said.
The 36-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, was seen going over the railing of the Brooklyn park shortly after 6:30 p.m.
While police initially reported that the man was attempting to retrieve a volleyball, witnesses disputed that account.
"The person hit the rail at full run, pivoted over it and flipped," said Phil Ritz, who was in the park at the time. "The current was moving fast, and it appeared that the person was swimming under the pier. Then a few seconds later they were gone."
An NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist on Thursday afternoon that video showed a ball entering the water, but it was unclear whether the man was chasing after it. Police believe the cause of death to be accidental.
The man was pulled out of the water by NYPD scuba divers and transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard ferry dock. He was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital.
Allie Wills, an architect who was playing volleyball in the park at the time of the incident, recalled the chaotic scene after the man fell into the river, as bystanders tried to find help.
"We ran to the edge and saw him swirling around in the current," Wills told Gothamist. "There was just confusion. There’s no access to the water, no safety buoys or supports under the pier that you can grab onto. It was a helpless thing to watch."
"The guard rail isn’t high enough," she added. "I could totally see how someone could slip over it on accident."
In a statement, the director of Domino Park, Mike Lampariello, wrote: "We’re saddened to hear of this tragic accident, and our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Our staff is working closely with the NYPD to learn more about the incident.”
Tagged
drowning
east river
brooklyn
domino park
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .