Emergency workers were called to Charles Park after a man was pulled from the water by other beachgoers after they saw him floating face down about 30 feet from shore. Forum Newsgroup photo by Rich York.
Officers from the 106th Precinct responded for a water rescue at 165th Avenue and 97th Street in Charles Park last Friday afternoon around 5 P.M., after a call from bystanders to report a man lying unconscious at the shore.
Sgt. Kopack and Police Officer Jaffe found Jose Rivera, in his 50’s, lying face down on the beach and determined that he was not breathing. They administered CPR and requested back-up from FDNY and EMS. Lifesaving resuscitative techniques were performed until they were relieved by FDNY Batallion Chief McDermott.
Upon restoring breath, the man was transported to Jamaica Hospital where he was taken to the SICU. Although the victim was breathing on his own without the support of any life support systems enroute to the hospital he remains in extremely critical condition in and has an anoxic brain injury, caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Witnesses at the scene told police that the man was on the beach by himself and had gone into the water for a swim. Several people then observed the man floating face down in the water about 30 feet from the shore after a short while.
Good Samaritans raced into the water and pulled the man to shore and called the police.
The incident is being investigated by the NYPD as well as US Park Police.
By Patricia Adams
