FDNY drone assists in rescuing swimmers off Rockaway Beach

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Queens -- A drone assisted in the rescue of two swimmers in distress off Rockaway Beach earlier this week.

The FDNY says it happened at Beach 97th Street on Tuesday when the two swimmers were being swept out into the ocean just after lifeguards had left for the day.

A specially equipped FDNY drone spotted the trouble and within minutes, it deployed floatation devices. They were then pulled from the waters and treated at a hospital.

"The FDNY reminds residents to swim only when lifeguards are on duty, follow the posted safety signs and to stay alert to changing water conditions," it posted on X.