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Search called off for teen who went missing off Coney Island beach


By

Ramsey Khalifeh

Published Jul 27, 2023

Modified Jul 27, 2023


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General view of Coney Island Beach in New York officially opens its doors on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

 

Deccio Serrano/NurPhoto/Shutterstock


By

Ramsey Khalifeh

Published Jul 27, 2023

Modified Jul 27, 2023


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City officials have called off the search for a 15-year-old boy who went missing Thursday afternoon off the beach at Coney Island.

Two fire department divers responded to the scene at around noon and searched for the swimmer in the water, according to an FDNY spokesperson, but after about an hour nobody was found.

The NYPD then took over the search, but were unable to recover the teen. According to the parks department, the search was called off at around 3:30 p.m.

A 16-year-old teen was with the other boy and was rescued by civilians, city officials said. He is in stable condition.

The FDNY said there was a lifeguard on duty at the time.

Signage and red flags have been posted around the beach to indicate the area is closed for swimming. Members of the parks department conducted sweeps of the beach to keep people out of the water.

Council Member Ari Kagan tweeted Thursday that his “thoughts and prayers are with the family [and] friends during this difficult time.”

This story has been updated to reflect that the search has been called off. Due to inaccurate information provided by the NYPD, the story has also been updated to reflect the correct age of the teen who was rescued.

Tagged

drowning

public safety

coney island

brooklyn


Ramsey Khalifeh

Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]

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