Identity Of Girl Released In Sandy Hook Drowning

SANDY HOOK, NJ — The National Park Service released the name of the 12-year-old girl who tragically drowned Sunday at Sandy Hook.

Bianca Palma, 12, of Elizabeth, was identified as the girl who drowned at Beach E at Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area. Palma was rescued at around 5:50 p.m. Sunday. Lifeguards pulled her from the water and gave her CPR, parks spokeswoman Daphne Yun said. They did manage to get her breathing again.

However, the girl died at 5 a.m. Monday at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

Palma was at the beach with her family. An eyewitness told the Asbury Park Press that she watched as Palma and her younger brother swam off Beach E all afternoon, while their father watched nearby. They usually went into water no deeper than their knees, she said. However, she also said there was a very strong undertow all day long at the beach.

"It was a day where the undercurrent was pulling very hard," witness Amy Delmanto told the APP. She said she prayed with the girl's mother as her little brother sobbed. "It was the hardest thing I think I’ve ever seen another family go through in person."

Sandy Hook is a national park and maintained by the federal park service. Past Patch coverage: Girl, 12, Drowns At Sandy Hook

Photo of Sandy Hook beaches by the National Park Service