Two Queens boys die after falling into Jamaica Bay while celebrating last day of school, start of summer
Two Queens boys celebrating the start of summer died Friday after they fell into Jamaica Bay and never resurfaced, police said.
The two victims, who are both 13, were on an outcropping of rocks near Broad Channel at about 11:40 a.m. when they fell into the water.
Panicked onlookers called 911.
NYPD divers recovered one of the two just before 1 p.m. and rushed him to Jamaica Hospital, where he died.
Officials said the second teen was found under the waves about 40 minutes later. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in extremely critical condition but he could not be saved.
Their names were not immediately released.
The two boys, accompanied by a group of friends, made their way to the bay in celebration of the first day of summer break, a shaken uncle of one of the teens said outside the hospital Friday evening.
“Yesterday was the last day of school and they were just trying to have a good time, messing around like kids do,” said Michael Rachel. “They were out on the rocks but when the tide comes in you couldn’t see them. They’re gone.”
A firefighter sustained a minor injury in the rescue operation, FDNY officials said.
The tidal currents of Jamaica Bay can be a deadly draw for teens on warm, summery days.
