4 drown, 3 missing at New York beaches

4 drown, 3 missing at New York beaches
Story Highlights
Strong currents, rough seas reported at Long Island, New York City beaches

Among drowning victims was girl, 10, who was playing in waters off Coney Island

Man drowns in 3 to 5 feet of water while playing football at Long Beach

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rescuers suspended their search Sunday for a 10-year-old girl in the water off Coney Island, one of three swimmers still missing from powerful ocean currents at New York City and Long Island beaches over the weekend.


Some authorities said the spate of swimmers being swept away seemed unprecedented.

Four other victims drowned at local beaches Friday and Saturday, authorities said.

The search for the girl was suspended Sunday afternoon pending further developments, Coast Guard Cmdr. Gregory Hitchen said.

Akira Johnson was pulled under by currents while swimming with her cousin Saturday afternoon. Her cousin, Tyriek Currie, also 10, was rescued.

The children's grandfather, Charles German, went to the beach Sunday to watch the search effort. He said the family was doing as well as could be expected.

With a steady punch of stronger rip currents possible over the weekend, "only experienced surf swimmers should enter the waters," said National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Connolly.
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/27/drownings.ap/index.html