Crime & Safety
SEE IT: Rockaway Beach Swimmer Rescued By Helicopter
The woman was swept out by a strong riptide while swimming early Friday in Queens, police said.
QUEENS, NY — A drowning woman safely made it out of the waters off Rockaway Beach on Friday morning thanks to the quick actions of rescuers arriving by sea and sky.
The 62-year-old woman was swimming off the Far Rockaway coastline near Beach 20th Street about 8:45 a.m. when a rip current pulled her about a third of a mile out into the Atlantic Ocean, a police spokesperson said.
Responders from the NYPD's harbor, aviation and sea rescue units, along with the 101st Precinct and Special Operations Division, leapt into action and found the woman in the water.
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A team of NYPD scuba divers headed into the water to rescue the swimmer, who was then hoisted to safety by a helicopter.
She was later taken to Coney Island Hospital, where she is in stable condition.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Watch the rescue below:
#HappeningNow @NYPD101Pct When a female swimmer was suddenly swept out by a strong riptide, #NYPD #Aviation quickly responded & dropped #Harbor #SCUBA members into the water. Our members were able to quickly assess & remove the distressed swimmer to safety.#AlwaysProtecting pic.twitter.com/FHxMXQYW2g
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) August 28, 2020
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