Man Drowns After Being Caught In Rip Current Off Fire Island Right After LI Beaches Reopen: Police

FIRE ISLAND, NY — A man was pulled into a rip current and drowned off Sailors Haven at the Fire Island National Seashore on Saturday, police said.

According to Suffolk County police, the incident took place at the ocean beach at about 2:45 p.m.

Ishmoile Mohammed, 59, of South Carolina, was swimming in the ocean when he got caught in a rip current pulling him west, police said.

Lifeguards rescued Mohammed from the water and, with the assistance of

Fire Island National Seashore employees, rendered aid, police said.

Mohammed was airlifted to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Forecasters have warned of deadly rip currents off Long Island in past days, closing area beaches, due to the impacts of Hurricane Erin. Beaches had just reopened when the drowning took place.

Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide squad at 631-852-6392.