A man drowned Friday afternoon in the waters off the Rockaways, police confirmed to NY1.
Fire crews say they were called to the scene in waters off Beach 90th Street at around 2:45 p.m. for a possible drowning.
Sources tell NY1 that the victim and two other people jumped into the water off of a jetty.
The victim was pronounced dead at St. John's Medical Center, sources tell NY1. Police say the victim was 24 years old.
According to sources, the other two people got out of the water.
“I want to cry. I do want to cry,” said Madeline Tricarico, a Far Rockaway resident who was at the scene. “I don’t know this child, but it could have been my son.”
Family members of the victim were on the beach Friday. They confirmed that the 24-year-old who died was from Brooklyn, but they did not wish to be interviewed.
In a tweet, Mayor Bill de Blasio offered condolences to the victim's family and friends.
He also reiterated that city beaches are closed for swimming this weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic - no lifeguards will be on duty - and suggested that the city may have to fence beaches off if people do not follow that guidance.
“Every sign at every beach entrance clearly states do not go in the water,” said John Cori, a Far Rockaway resident who also serves on Community Board 14. “They make it clear there’s no lifeguards, and it’s dangerous. That being said, it just goes to show the importance of lifeguards and how important NYC has to get lifeguards on duty ASAP.”
The mayor said additional park workers and police officers will be walking the city’s beaches this weekend to help keep New Yorkers safe.