6-year-old drowns on New York beach after being caught in strong current
A 6-year-old girl drowned Saturday morning after she was swept away from the beach by a strong current in Southampton, on Long Island, New York, according to police.
The Southampton Town Police Department received a 911 call reporting a drowning in Sebonac Creek at 8:09 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, according to a police statement.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene and were informed that the victim had been pulled by the current flowing through Sebonac Creek into the Great Peconic Bay, the statement said. Great Peconic Bay is an estuary located between the north and south forks of Long Island.
Police identified the victim as Kiara Paolasin, who lived in Brooklyn, New York.
Paolasin went into the water to find her lost footwear, slipped and was swept away by the current, according to the police statement. A 16-year-old family member attempted to pull the girl to shore but was unable, police reported.
A kayaker retrieved the victim's unresponsive body from the water, according to the statement, after which she was transported to Southampton Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Paolasin had been visiting the beach with her family for the holiday weekend, the police statement said.
The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Southampton Town Police Department Detective Division are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with further knowledge is encouraged to contact authorities.
Over 200 people were rescued and two died from dangerous rip currents off Daytona Beach, Florida, over the holiday weekend, ABC News’ "Good Morning America" reported. A 17-year-old boy and 60-year-old man were killed by the currents Friday night, according to "GMA."
