No sign of boy who got caught in rip current at Coney Island Beach more than 24 hours ago
NEW YORK -- A teen who went swimming at Coney Island Beach and got swept away by a rip current is still missing Friday.
The NYPD Harbor Unit has been at the beach all day, with boats in the water and helicopters overhead, but there's been no sign of the boy for over 24 hours.
"It's always shocking to hear when these things happen. We want safe things for children to do. We need to cool off and we really need to have more lifeguards on duty," said Yvonne Mayo, who lives in Coney Island.
Despite red flags that mean no swimming and signs the warn "Danger: Drowning Risk" in that area of the beach, families still went into the water to cool off Friday.
"We're just putting our feet in, we're not going too far. It's hot," said Olivia Weinstein.
- Related Story: As search for more lifeguards continues, New York City pools officially open for the summer
According to police, two teenage boys, who we're told are brothers, went into the water at around noon Thursday. Witnesses said they were knee-deep. It was not immediately clear if they knew how to swim.
Good Samaritans were able to get one boy out safely. He was treated by EMS and is expected to be OK, according to police.
"A rip current will look like a calm spot between a lot of action happening on either side of it," said Shawn Slevin, from the Swim Strong Foundation.
The Swim Strong Foundation's mission is to prevent drownings and water accidents. The group educates youth on water safety and the dangers of rip currents.
"You can easily find yourself in them. While they don't pull you down, they do pull you out, and pull you out very quickly," said Slevin.
- Related Story: Lifeguards, good Samaritan rescue 3 swimmers on Long Island
Still, some families said kids have no choice during the extreme heat.
"Many of these buildings don't have air conditioners. You're hot, you're gonna try to find ways to cool off," said Mayo.
NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said the city only has 800 lifeguards for eight beaches and 48 public pools across the five boroughs. That's why red flags are out and some sections of beaches are closed to swimming this summer.
"We have lifeguards at six bays across Coney Island and we have 800 lifeguards across the city. We do have areas that are not available for swimming because of the lifeguard shortage," said Donoghue.
If you do get caught in a rip current, Slevin says it's important to stay calm.
"If you are able to get onto your back to float so that somebody might be able to reach and help you, that's an important skill to have," said Slevin.
Where it's safe to swim, lifeguards are on duty until 6 p.m.
- Editor's note 7/30: Body of missing 15-year-old swimmer found at Coney Island Beach
