Tag:
Swimming Safety
Stamford, CT
News
Girl Missing After Violent Surf Sweeps Family Into Ocean In Southern California
A family beach trip turned terrifying in seconds after powerful water conditions hit the shoreline. A girl remains missing after she, her mother, and her brother were swept into the ocean near Treasure Island Beach in Laguna Beach, California, at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, according to multiple reports. Bystanders rushed into the rough surf and rescued the mother and one child, ABC News reported. The search and recovery effort continued on Wednesday, June 10, as crews expanded beyond the area where the girl was last seen. Laguna Beach officials said search teams were using ocean cond…
McLean, VA
Obituaries
Virginia Teen Cresencio Chavez Velasquez Dies After Drowning Off Assateague Island
A tight-knit Eastern Shore community is grieving the sudden death of a teenager whose family said he could light up any room. Cresencio Lucas Chavez Velasquez, 18, of Parksley, drowned after struggling in the water off Assateague Island National Seashore on Thursday, July 24, 2025, according to the National Park Service. Officials said Chavez Velasquez was swimming near the southern end of the Chincoteague Beach Parking Lot around 4:15 p.m. when he and another person began struggling offshore. A relative ran to alert lifeguards stationed about 150 yards away, though Chavez Velasquez …
McLean, VA
News
Teen Drowns Off Assateague Island In Virginia After Struggling In Water: NPS
An 18-year-old is dead after being pulled unconscious from the water off Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia, authorities confirmed. The teen was swimming near the southern end of the Chincoteague Beach Parking Lot around 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, when he and another person began struggling offshore, according to the National Park Service. A relative ran to alert lifeguards, who were stationed about 150 yards away. One of the swimmers was successfully rescued, while the teen was pulled from the water unresponsive, according to park officials. CPR was immediately st…
Reisterstown, MD
Sports
‘He Died A Hero’: Former Orioles Prospect Drowns Saving Strangers As Family Watches
Chase Childers, a former Baltimore Orioles minor league prospect, died a hero in South Carolina after rushing into floodwaters to save a group of swimmers — sacrificing his life to protect theirs. According to Pawleys Island Police, officers received a 911 call at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, reporting “multiple swimmers in distress near Shell Road Ocean.” One man — later identified as Childers — was missing, and a search was immediately launched by police, Midway Fire Rescue, and the US Coast Guard. At approximately 6:15 p.m., rescue teams recovered Childers' body fro…
New Milford, CT
Obituaries
Man, 43, Drowns During Family Picnic On Housatonic River In New Milford
A 43-year-old man from Yonkers, New York, drowned while picnicking with his family on the Housatonic River in New Milford over the weekend, authorities said. Simon Hernandez was spending time with loved ones in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford on Sunday, July 13, around 4:10 p.m., when he entered the river but did not resurface, according to police. Emergency crews responded to the area of 781 Kent Road in an attempt to rescue him, but were unsuccessful. After a two- to three-hour search, New Milford police dive teams recovered Hernandez’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. …
Roosevelt, NY
Police & Fire
10-Year-Old Rescued From Water Emergency In Atlantic Beach: Nassau Police
A 10-year-old boy was rescued from the waters near the Clearwater Beach Club in Atlantic Beach on Sunday, July 13, at 4:39 p.m., the Nassau County Police Department announced. The child had been swimming near the Jetty when he became distressed, according to police. A lifeguard from the Village of Atlantic Beach and an off-duty Nassau County Police Lieutenant teamed up to bring the boy to safety. The Atlantic Beach Fire Department responded, but everyone involved declined medical attention at the scene, officials said. Police are reminding the public to swim only where lifeguards are prese…
Hackensack, NJ
Weather
Tornado Watch Issued In Ocean County; Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For All 21 NJ Counties
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all 21 counties through 9 p.m., with forecasters warning of damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours. Flash Flood and Heat Advisories also remain in place as of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. In Ocean County, a Tornado Warning was issued just before 6:30 p.m. and remains in effect until 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Radar indicated potential tornadic activity over areas including Lakewood, Cassville, Pine Lake Park, Leisure Village, New Egypt, and Hornerstown. As of 7 p.m., more than 6,800 customers were without power. According to JCP…
Wantagh, NY
News
Shark Bite Suspected After Woman Injured At Jones Beach
A 20-year-old woman was injured while swimming off Jones Beach State Park, and officials now believe a shark was to blame. The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, when the woman, waist-deep in the surf at the Central Mall beachfront, reported being bitten by an unknown marine animal. She suffered minor lacerations to her left foot and leg and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment. Her injuries were not life-threatening, according to New York State Parks officials. The swimmer told responders she did not see what caused the injury. In response, l…
Annapolis, MD
News
Travel Advisory Issued For Bahamas By State Department: Here's What To Know
Thinking of heading to The Bahamas? You may want to pack a little extra caution. The US State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for The Bahamas, urging Americans to “exercise increased caution” when visiting the Caribbean destination due to crime, beach safety risks, and boating concerns. Level 2 means travelers should remain alert and take extra precautions. It is the second of four advisory levels used by the US government to help Americans assess safety risks when visiting other countries. The advisory, updated on Monday, March 31, specifically highlights violent crimes, i…
Ventnor-Margate, NJ
News
Barbed Fish Injures Ventnor City Swimmer: Beach Patrol
A man was injured by what appeared to be a ray's tail at a beach in Ventnor City, officials said. The man suffered a hand injury at around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, the Ventnor City Beach Patrol said. He received first-aid treatment at the scene. The injury was not confirmed to be from a shark bite and was likely caused by a skate, which is a type of ray with barbs on its tail. "We’ve noticed an increase in marine activity of all kinds in the area which is normal for late summer warm water," the beach patrol said. "As a precaution, we restricted swimming at nearby beaches to ankle…
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Dies Saving Two Children From Drowning In South Jersey River: Fundraiser
A Mays Landing man was remembered as a hero after dying while saving two children from drowning in the Great Egg Harbor River, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page said Pablo Hernandez Cruz died at Weymouth Furnace County Park in Hamilton Township on Wednesday, July 17. He was 49 years old, 6abc Action News reported. Hernandez Cruz went into the river to help the children when they were struggling in the water. "As he went in and pushed them to safety, he was swept under and tragically wasn't able to resurface," wrote Joe Pagliuca, w…
Mahopac, NY
News
Harmful Algae Blooms Close Several Hudson Valley Beaches
Several beaches in the Hudson Valley are closed to the public thanks to harmful algae blooms that can harm the health of swimmers. Five beaches in Putnam County are currently closed as a result of the blooms, according to county officials. The affected beaches include: Barger Pond Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Saturday, July 6; Carraras Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Friday, July 5; Jackson Beach in Patterson, which was closed on Tuesday, July 2; Singers Beach in Putnam Valley, which was closed on Saturday, July 6; Warren Beach in Patters…
Hackensack, NJ
Weather
Tornados, Heat, Life-Threatening Rip Currents: No Relief Mid-Week For New Jersey, Pennsylvania
It's another hot one in New Jersey in Pennsylvania. And a stormy one. And a dangerous one — both on land and at sea, forecasters warn. Yeah, finding relief Wednesday, June 26 won't be easy. "If you are thinking of getting relief at the beach, there is a High Risk for life threatening rip currents at NJ beaches today (Moderate Risk at DE beaches)," the National Weather Service (NWS) said. "Be sure to only swim where there are lifeguards, and never go in water when the beach is closed." Heat indexes could reach 100 degrees in parts of NJ and PA before storms roll in, the weather map above s…
Marlton-Evesham, NJ
News
55-Year-Old Dad Drowns In NJ Reservoir: 'Giving Heart, Crazy Antics'
A 55-year-old New Jersey father who drowned over the weekend in a Burlington County reservoir is being remembered for his good humor and good nature. Frank Guadagnini, of Point Pleasant Borough, was pulled by divers from the water in the Whitesbog section of Pemberton Township, according to Caryn Shinske, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Protection. Firefighters, EMS units, and dive teams responded to the water used for local cranberry operations within the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest around 7:35 p.m., Saturday, June 22, where Guadagnini's body was recovered by Man…
Mechanicsville, MD
News
Body Of Swimmer, 21, Washes Up On Maryland Beach
The body of a 21-year-old swimmer from New Jersey washed up on a Maryland shore nearly 14 hours after being reported missing, authorities said. Praise Ezechibueze was reported missing around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, bringing members of the Ocean City fire and police departments to the area of 25th Street and the beach, officials said. While efforts to locate Ezechibueze were unsuccessful on Saturday, a beachgoer spotted a body on the shoreline around 5 a.m. Sunday, May 7, near 4th Street, authorities said. The Missing Swimmer from Ocean City has been Located https://t.co/QmRrBart4k —…
Briarcliff, NY
Lifestyle
Summer Safety Tips From Phelps Hospital
Enjoy your summer The weather is warmer, school is out, and the sun shines just a little bit longer—that’s right, it’s summer! As you and your children prepare for the summer, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health, wants to ensure you’re staying safe while having fun in the sun. Will COVID-19 affect my summer plans? When planning for summer activities, consider safe practices before, during, and after the event, and ask yourself: is this safe? The most important safety tip for this summer is continuing to follow COVID-19 social distancing protocols and be thoughtful about the activities you’…
Fairfield, CT
Police & Fire
Man Rescued After Nearly Drowning In Fairfield County
A 35-year-old local man is lucky to be alive after nearly drowning in a restricted swimming area at Indian Well State Park in Shelton. The Milford resident was swimming in the area of the waterfalls when he began having trouble shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to DEEP officials. EnCon, along with Shelton emergency services responded to the park for the report of a drowning, said Chris Collibee, DEEP spokesman. “Witnesses performed CPR until EMS arrived,” he said. The man was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital by Life Star helicopter. When he was airlifted, the man was breathing…
Poughkeepsie, NY
Police & Fire
ID Released For Man Who Went Missing In Hudson River
The search for a man who went missing Tuesday afternoon in the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie will resume Wednesday morning after temporarily being suspended in the evening, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said. The 49-year-old man has been identified as Paul Machettia of the City of Poughkeepsie. Macchettia entered the water to help after one of five people who entered the Hudson River began to struggle to stay afloat. The swimmer who was in distress recovered by Machettia failed to resurface. At about noontime on Tuesday, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Hudson R…
Garfield-Lodi, NJ
Business
Garfield Native's Lifeguard Business Is Going Swimmingly
Garfield native Mark Quiles is making swimming pools safer for summer with a company that he likens to Uber... but for lifeguards. Two years ago, the NJIT senior launched League of Lifeguards, which recruits and certifies lifeguards before matching them with jobs at pools, parties and other swimming events. The 22-year-old has been able to protect more than 10,000 lives so far. "I’ve been a lifeguard since I was 15 and realized there was an opportunity capitalize on my skill set," Quiles said. "Since most lifeguards make an average of minimum wage to $12 per hour, I want t…
