Two teenage sisters, aged 17 and 18, tragically lost their lives while swimming at Coney Island Beach on July 5, 2024. The incident occurred near Stillwell Avenue and Riegelmann Boardwalk around 8 p.m., according to multiple sources.
Witnesses reported that both girls were in critical condition after being pulled from the water and later died at Coney Island Hospital.
The identities of the deceased sisters were not released, but police confirmed that no third missing swimmer was reported.
According to NBC New York, emergency calls came in about three people in the water who needed rescuing. FDNY officials conducted a search for over an hour before recovering the two teenagers.
The Guardian reported that officers received an emergency call for a water rescue near Stillwell Avenue and Boardwalk West at 8.10 p.m., and both young women were removed from the water by divers.
ABC7NY stated that witnesses saw a man attempting to save the girls but also went into the water, but he could not swim either.
The cause of their drowning is under investigation, and no further details have been released at this time. Our thoughts go out to their families during this difficult time.