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NYPD searching for 2 teens suspected of drowning at Jacob Riis Park
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Jun 22, 2024
Modified Jun 22, 2024
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Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Jun 22, 2024
Modified Jun 22, 2024
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Police were still searching on Saturday for two teenagers who disappeared into the waters at Jacob Riis Park in Queens on Friday night, amid an oppressive heat wave poised to carry through the weekend.
The 16- and 17-year-old boys, whom authorities have not publicly identified, appeared to struggle in the water before falling out of witnesses’ view at around 6:30 p.m. Friday, police said.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said officials were investigating whether a rip current pulled the teenagers under.
“When officers arrived, they were met by numerous beachgoers that said that there was a wave that came in,” Daughtry told reporters at the beach on Friday. “The teens tried to jump up to kind of slice the wave. The wave was extremely high, and it went on top of them and sucked them over.”
The incident occurred shortly after lifeguards went off duty at 6 p.m. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards told Gothamist on Saturday that those hours should be extended on hot days.
"The lifeguard should be on until 7 p.m. at minimum, especially during heat waves," Richards said. "Think about it, you know, it's lighter outside, people are going to stay, remain on the beach."
Richards also said the incident was a stark reminder that the city must do more to teach people the basics of water safety.
"Do not go in the water without lifeguards," he said. "It could be a 30-second PSA, but during the summer it needs to be continuously run. It should be so drilled into everybody heading to the beach."
As of 3 p.m. Saturday, the NYPD said its boats, helicopters and drone units were still searching for the teenagers.
On Saturday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it had suspended its search for the missing youths.
Brigid Bergin contributed reporting.
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Michelle Bocanegra
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