Add The New York Post on Google An 18-year-old swimmer vanished in the rough waters off Rockaway Beach on Tuesday afternoon — sparking a massive air and sea search, officials said.
One of the teen’s friends called 911 after witnesses reported seeing the man enter the ocean, but failing to resurface.
The FDNY said they were alerted to the missing swimmer near Beach 73rd Street and Shore Front Parkway around 3:30 p.m.
Investigators search for the missing 18-year-old in Rockaway Beach. Peter Gerber The fire department deployed rescue swimmers, drones, and marine units, but weren’t immediately able to locate the teen.
“We just heard commotion, a bunch of helicopters,” said Ashley Gutierrez, who was on the beach when the operation began.
“It got super windy, it was like a sandstorm,” she continued, referring to the helicopter’s downwash.
The NYPD’s specialized scuba and aviation units later joined the search.
Gutierrez described the operation as “intense, pretty intense.”
An 18-year-old went went swimming in Rockaway Beach and did not submerge. Peter Gerber “I saw a lot of kids bringing out their surfboards,” Gutierrez told The Post.
“In my head I was like the waves must be so intense today, I can’t even imagine.”
Kingdom Bankston, another beachgoer, said the general vibe at the beach was “pretty calm” despite the large rescue effort.
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“All I can think of is their loved ones and how stressful this must be,” said Bankston, referring to the missing man’s family.
“Someone out there is going through it right now.”
A second person was treated for minor injuries at the scene but refused medical attention.
Officials note that lifeguards are not yet on duty at city beaches, with the official season not scheduled to start until Sunday.
