Man, 54, Pulled From Water Off Of Long Island Beach Dies

SHIRLEY, NY — A man pulled from the water off of Smith Point County Park in Shirley on Friday night was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Suffolk police said that two men, who were swimming in the water, "were struck by a large wave" at about 8 p.m, and one of the men made it back to the shore, while the other, a 54-year-old, was pulled further out into the water.

Members of the United States Coast Guard stationed in East Moriches and firefighters from the Mastic Beach Fire Department were involved in the rescue operation, according to Suffolk police.

Coast Guard Lt. JG Sarah Dupre said she was informed that Suffolk police's aviation unit spotted the man in the water and was able to direct a Coast Guard small boat to his location.

"I was told the man had a weak pulse and that is why the Coast Guard conducted [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] and transferred him to [emergency medical services]," she said.

EMS continued CPR, and then the man was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where he was pronounced dead, Dupre said.

His name is being withheld pending the notification of his family.

Dupre said the rescue operation lasted under an hour.

Suffolk Homicide detectives are investigating the drowning, which is a standard procedure with all unattended deaths.

No further information was immediately available from authorities.

Lt. JG Dupre said that the man was taken out of the water at about 8:30 p.m. after he had been pulled into a riptide, noting they have been "more prevalent and troublesome this summer."

Lifeguards were not on duty at the time the man was pulled from the water, as the bathing area shuts down sometime in the early evening, and police close down the parking lot after 7 p.m.

But there are signs warning swimmers when riptides are in effect, as well as signs cautioning against going into the water without lifeguards on duty.

This story will be updated.