1 teen swimmer pulled from ocean off Coney Island; search continues for second

CONEY ISLAND - Authorities are continuing to search for a 15-year-old boy who was reported missing in the ocean off Coney Island on Thursday afternoon.

According to authorities, the incident happened around 12:45 p.m., on the beach near West 22nd Street and Surf Avenue. 

"They look they were having a ball, they were having a good time, kids on the beach, hot day," said one witness who observed the young boys around lunchtime. 

Witnesses recalled seeing the boys, aged 15 and 16, playing at the beach where the current beneath the surface was strong enough to get the attention of lifelong swimmers who tell us they issued a firm warning to the teens.

"Listen the water is very, very dangerous. Don’t play with the water please. They didn’t say anything to me they continued jumping and playing," an older swimmer recalled urging the young men. 

But soon afterward, an on-duty lifeguard saw two teenage boys struggling in the water.

Three men jumped into the water to help save the 16-year-old victim, but could not reach the 15-year-old who had gone out of sight. 

Rescue crews searched for hours for the missing teen, but as of Thursday evening, have not found him. 

The heat wave enveloping the northeast makes it more and more tempting for people to take a dip in the ocean, but, thanks to rip currents and the lifeguard shortage, a chance to cool off can turn deadly.

The search for the missing boy remains ongoing.