26 Year-old Man Drowns In East River

Gothamist knows that photographs are full of memories for a lifetime. But please, if your disposable camera falls into the East River, don't jump in after it, as 26 year-old Paul Oakes of Queens died Sunday morning from drowning, after trying to retrieve a disposable camera near South Street Seaport. The Times says that several of his friends were held back from jumping in after him and that the current carried Oakes "north on the East River for 30 to 50 feet." Newsday notes that it took rescuers 2 hours to find his body.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 28, 2003 8:22 AM

Comments [rss]

Eric

I wonder what were on those photos. Seems like he could be some sort of super-spy 007 style. Maybe the photos has some evidence that could prove or protect something extremely important. I don't know but who would risk their life for a disposable camera?

look before you...

do they mention whether it was a WATERPROOF disposable camera? if it weren't then that's double sad, man.

chris

is it wrong to wonder if they recovered the camera? i mean, clearly it had some REALLY important pictures on it. a UFO or something.

jake

i'm not sure- i'd not be risking my life to save my canon g2- and i consider that camera my first true love.

j.

Now, for a $500 digital camera. perhaps, but for a disposable . . .

Sterling

Could he swim? I'm thinking no. My recollection is that the Hudson has strong currents pretty much all the time, but the East River only when the tide is coming in or going out.