Search continues for missing 17-year-old swimmer at Rockaway Beach in Queens
ROCKAWAY BEACH, Queens (WABC) -- The search to find a young swimmer continued for a second day on Wednesday after he went missing in the waters of Rockaway Beach on Tuesday.
FDNY officials say they received a report around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday of a 17-year-old boy missing in the water at Beach 73rd Street and Shore Front Parkway.
Police sources told Eyewitness News that the victim went into the ocean with his friend. They say the victim was overtaken by a wave at the same time as his friend was able to come back up.
The victim's friends and others had desperately tried to grab him as he struggled.
"Literally, trying to pull him back in, but how far they were into the water, it swept him out of his hand," said witness Nemiah Dos Santos. "And I started crying so bad for the boy because it's one thing to see that happen, but it's another thing to be the person trying at least to help."
An NYPD helicopter, FDNY rescue swimmers, drones and marine units combed the rough water for the teen before suspending their search Tuesday night. They returned again on Wednesday for a second full day of searching.
One beachgoer who has lived in the area for 50 years said he has seen tragedy after tragedy in the waters and says city officials need to do more.
"They need a little bit more patrol out here to supervise the kids because the kids are going to be mischievous, a little bit more supervision, a little bit more patrol to stop them and prevent them from actually going into the water, even if there aren't any lifeguards," resident James Spann said.
On Wednesday, New York City Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura urged people to only swim when lifeguards are on duty.
"We take every incident like this incredibly seriously, most importantly, we think about the safety of our patrons, we think about the safety of our staff, and so its really just underscores the importance of making sure that you are only going in the water when our lifeguards, our trained professionals, our heroes, are out looking out for you," Shimamura said.
Lifeguards will be in place watching the water starting Friday when the beach opens for the season. They will be on duty from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
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