New York woman drowns in paddleboard yoga class accident after trying to help another woman

According to police, a woman in New York drowned during a stand-up paddleboard yoga class on Friday morning.

Lisa Margaritis was trying to help another woman from her paddle boarding class who had gotten caught in a rip current under a bridge in Hashamomuck Pond, Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley said in a press release obtained by CNN.

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According to authorities, Margaritis’ paddleboard got caught on a Long Island Rail Road bridge pier, causing her to fall into the water.

Three women from the paddleboard yoga class were paddling under the Long Island Rail Road bridge near Mill Creek and Hashamomuck Pond when one of them got into trouble in the strong current, according to the Suffolk Times.

The 48-year-old nurse, an experienced paddleboarder, was unable to free herself as she was tied to the paddleboard, CNN reported. A jogger who happened to witness the scene jumped into the water, freed Margaritis from the tether and brought her to shore.

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Shortly thereafter, her death was pronounced at Eastern Long Island Hospital.

Margaritis’ mother, Jean Weber, told Newsday she was “devastated” by the death of her only daughter, but was not surprised to hear that Margaritis was helping someone else who was in danger.

“In my eyes, she was a hero, a very good child,” Weber said. “She wanted to save someone else. She was always kind.”