Man drowned off Smith Point County Park in Shirley, Coast Guard official says
Suffolk County Aviation and divers from the Mastic Beach Fire Department located a man who had been swimming off Smith Point County Park, and his body was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard, a spokesman said. Credit: John Walthers
Only one of two men struck by a large wave while swimming off Smith Point County Park in Shirley on Friday just before 8 p.m. made it safely back to shore, Suffolk police said.
The second swimmer, a 54-year-old man, was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mastic Beach Fire Department, officials said. He was given CPR before being taken to the Peconic Medical Center, where his death was declared.
His identity will not be released until his family is notified.
"We were out looking for him for quite a while," said Petty Officer John Hightower.
"Suffolk County Aviation and divers from the Mastic Beach Fire Department located the person, and then one of our boats from Station Moriches recovered the body,' he said.
No further details were immediately available.
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