Officials reported that a man was found dead in the water near the Rockaway Beach boardwalk in Queens early Monday morning. Police discovered the body shortly after midnight.
According to the police, the man was spotted floating by bystanders at around 12:30 a.m. They immediately called 911, and first-responders quickly arrived at the scene. Even though CPR was performed, the man was unfortunately pronounced dead after being taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
According to authorities, the cause of death of the man in his 30s is still under investigation by the medical examiner. However, they have stated that there is no indication of any foul play involved in his death. It is unclear at this time if there is any connection between the man’s death and the reports of missing swimmers at the beach over the weekend.
This summer has seen a tragic number of drownings at New York City beaches, with four reported already. Among the victims were Bronx sisters Zainab Mohammed, 17, and Aisha Mohammed, 18, who lost their lives while swimming at Coney Island Beach on July 5.
Last week, the bodies of two teenagers, Elyjha Chandler, 16, and Christian Perkins, 17, were discovered by the police. The boys had gone missing in the water at Jacob Riis Park on June 21. According to experts, the severe erosion at the park is causing dangerous swimming conditions, including rip tides, which may have contributed to the tragic incident.
Some elected officials responded to the recent deaths by advocating for the extension of lifeguard hours at beaches. However, Mayor Eric Adams believes that the emphasis should be placed on educating the public about water safety instead.
During a press conference at City Hall, Adams emphasized the importance of educating parents about optimal times for swimming. He stated that the city must educate parents on when it is safe to be in the water and when it is not.
Last season, the number of drowning incidents at New York City beaches was limited to only four fatalities.
