Two teenagers dead, another victim still missing after being washed out to sea off Coney Island

Two women tragically lost their lives and another man is still missing after being washed out to sea off Coney Island on Friday evening.

On July 5 at approximately 8:10 p.m., two sisters, ages 17 and 18, and a 24-year-old man were swept into the water near Stillwell Avenue. No lifeguards were on duty at the time.

Officers from the NYPD Harbor Special Unit and FDNY responded and began a lengthy search and rescue operation, using spotlights to search the shore for the teenage swimmers.

At around 9:30 p.m., harbor officials and officers from the NYPD’s 60th Precinct were seen pulling the two teens from the water. Paramedics performed CPR on the sand before transporting them to a waiting ambulance. They were taken to Coney Island Hospital in very critical condition and eventually succumbed to their injuries.

The 24-year-old victim is still missing.

Spectators watched the dramatic rescue operation in horror. One witness was heard shouting to the police: “Thank you for not giving up on her.”

Firefighters from Engine Company 245, Ladder Company 161, 168, Rescue Company 5 and Rescue Company 2 searched in choppy water but were pushed back by strong currents and high waves, according to radio traffic from Battalion 43.

This incident occurred just twelve days after two teenagers disappeared from Jacob Riis Park in Far Rockaway. Their bodies were recovered last Monday. Lifeguards leave the beach at 6 p.m.