Teen swimmer goes missing at NYC’s Rockaway Beach, sparking major search operation

An 18-year-old trying to beat the heat was swept away in front of his friends in the rough waters off Rockaway Beach on Tuesday afternoon, sparking a massive air and sea search, officials said.

The missing teen was among about five swimmers who jumped into the ocean as temperatures in the Big Apple soared above 90 degrees on Tuesday, according to witness Nemaiah Dos Santos.

“Five of them went running out, four of them came out, and one of the four was carrying the boy out, literally trying to pull him back in, but how far they were into the water, it swept him out of his hand,” Dos Santos recalled. 

One of the teen’s friends called 911 after the tragedy near Beach 73rd Street and Shore Front Parkway around 3:30 p.m. 

“I just started crying so bad for the boy, cause it’s like it’s one thing to see that happen, but it’s another thing to be the person trying to at least help, and that s–t broke me,” said Dos Santos.

The witness said the group was “about where the rocks end,” and that most waves in Rockaway Beach crash before they get close to the shoreline, indicating a steep drop-off.

“And if you don’t know how to swim, if you’re not a trained diver, if you’re not somebody who’s dealt with waves, a surfer, you’re going to get pulled in.”

Julian Eastmead, who also saw the commotion, said the group of teens broke down after their pal was swept away.

“I couldn’t hear too much, but it was just literally tears, cell phone in hand, crying, trying to tell whoever brought them to the beach that they’re not going to be able to bring whoever was at the beach with them home.”

The fire department deployed rescue swimmers, drones, and marine units, but weren’t immediately able to locate the teen.

“We just heard commotion, a bunch of helicopters,” said Ashley Gutierrez, who was on the beach when the operation began.

“It got super windy, it was like a sandstorm,” she continued, referring to the helicopter’s downwash.

The NYPD’s specialized scuba and aviation units later joined the search.

Gutierrez described the operation as “intense, pretty intense.”

“I saw a lot of kids bringing out their surfboards,” Gutierrez told The Post.

“In my head I was like the waves must be so intense today, I can’t even imagine.”

Kingdom Bankston, another beachgoer, said the general vibe at the beach was “pretty calm” despite the large rescue effort.

“All I can think of is their loved ones and how stressful this must be,” said Bankston, referring to the missing man’s family.

“Someone out there is going through it right now.”

A second person was treated for minor injuries at the scene but refused medical attention.

Officials note that lifeguards are not yet on duty at city beaches, with the official season not scheduled to start until Sunday.