Rip Current — Nassau, New York

2002-09-02 · near Biltmore Shrs, Nassau, New York

Event narrative

A 44 year old male lost his life and two boys, aged 10 and 11, were injured in rough seas on South Oyster Bay. The three apparently dragged their boat ashore on Squaw Island (located just east of the Goose Creek Drawbridge on the Wantagh State Parkway-Jones Beach Causeway) and began to collect clams. But, as high tide came in, the additional wave action created by Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts near 30 knots, jarred the boat loose with the 10 year old boy aboard. The 44 year old male drowned, and the 11 year old boy was rescued by other boaters after attempting to swim after the drifting boat and 10 year old child. The 10 year old boy was rescued with the assistance of other boaters and the police Marine Bureau. Both boys were taken to a local hospital and treated for Hypothermia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5320412. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.