2 Kids, 1 Teen, Screaming For Help In Water, Saved By Bystanders

SOUTHOLD, NY — Two children and a teenager who found themselves struggling and screaming for help in the water in Southold were saved by bystanders recently, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, the incident took place on Tuesday at 2:21 p.m. on South Harbor Road.

Three juveniles, 7, 11, and 15, were playing in the water at the beach on South Harbor Road when they suddenly found themselves in water that was too deep and began to struggle, police said.

Bystanders Christopher DeVito, 27, of Putney, VT, John Bloom, 20, of Southold, Yaas Azmouden, 20, of Dix Hills, and Christopher Kirincic, 27, of Southold, all saw the young girl and two boys in trouble and screaming for help and swam toward them, police said.

At the same time, a fifth good Samaritan, Emily Perry, 21, of Southold, jumped on her paddle board to help with the rescue, police said.

"Due to the efforts and quick thinking" of those who rushed to help, all three were rescued and brought to shore, police said.

One of the three kids had difficulty breathing after getting water in their lungs during the incident, police said; the Southold Fire Department responded and transported all three to Eastern Long Island Hospital for further treatment, police said.

Kirincic is a volunteer firefighter with the Southold Fire Department and DeVito is an off-duty sheriff visiting from Vermont, police said.