Search for missing 15-year-old swimmer at Coney Island called off, 16-year-old rescued
Editor's note 7/28 10:30 a.m.: The search resumed Friday. Get the latest on this story by CLICKING HERE.
NEW YORK -- The search for a 15-year-old swimmer reported missing off Coney Island on Thursday has been called off.
Lifeguards and FDNY divers had been scouring the water after a 911 caller reported two teens went missing off the beach near West 22nd Street at around 12:40 p.m.
The other teen, a 16-year-old boy, was found in the water and is in stable condition.
Lifeguards and FDNY divers entered the water and helicopters hovered over the beach as anxious visitors watched the rescue efforts.
Witnesses told CBS New York's Hannah Kliger the boys were jumping in the waves when a current pulled them out and that no lifeguards were on duty.
There were signs and red flags visible on lifeguard chairs, which indicates the area is closed to swimming due to hazardous conditions, according to the Parks Department.
Three witnesses said it looked like the boys couldn't swim before they were suddenly getting swept away, deeper and deeper.
"The kids were playing in the water. But I told them, I warned them, the water's very, very dangerous, don't play with the water. But they didn't say nothing to me. They continued jumping and playing," said Fernando Aguerto. "Then I saw everybody screaming."
Aguerto and two other sunbathers -- a Coney Island dad and a retired firefighter -- managed to pull the older teen to shore, but he kept asking them to help his brother.
"So, I tried to. When I went around the rocks, the current was pulling me this way and when I see his brother still bobbing, the wave came and just took him under," said Benjamin Colon.
"Then we went back and started looking and see where he was located, but we lost contact with him. We didn't see him at all," said John McLean, a retired FDNY member. "He was spent, he was exhausted, he was ready to drown, just about ready to drown. We got him in time. He was in shock. I believe it was his brother out there."
McLean, Colon and Aguerto said they were glad to be in the right place at the right time, but regret not having enough time to help the other boy.
"It was pretty rough for Coney Island. Coney Island is pretty mild, but it was pretty rough today," said McLean. "It sucked that I couldn't save the both of them. It was great I saved one, but I felt like I did half a job today."
Police say the teen who was rescued was treated by EMS on the beach and released.
The NYPD says they are still investigating, though the water's been cleared out since the afternoon.
