Poet Drowns Near Christopher Street Pier

Hudson River

An aspiring poet from Bay Ridge died yesterday after he jumped into the Hudson River near Christopher Street. Dennis Kim was 22, and died trying to retrieve his bookbag, apparently containing a book of him poems and a copy of Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer. After he jumped in, he swam out thirty feet into the river and managed to get the bag, but was overcome by the current as he tried to make it back to the pier. The Daily News has the whole heartbreaking story.

This isn't the first time someone has drowned or nearly drowned trying to retrieve something that fell into the Hudson. Both the Hudson and East Rivers have extremely strong currents, and can look deceptively calm from the outside. Never, ever, ever go in, for any reason-- even your life's work isn't worth dying for.

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Comments (10) [rss]

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it really is... poor kid.

Truly sad, and I had no idea the currents could be that strong out there, as I previously would have no qualms about diving in, thinking i could manage a swim easy.

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my coworker swam the hudson for some triathalon a few years ago

So absolutely tragic. Many times I've wondered what I'd save from my apartment in the case of an emergency situation. My cat, portfolio and family photos... but in situations like this, it's clear I should consider myself before my possessions.

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sad incident. the nice picture captures the mood.

Having swam in the Hudson as part of the NYC Triathlon, an annual event, I can tell you that the currents are VERY strong. The current helped me take 10 minutes off my mile swim time. We had to hold on to a rope before the gun went off so as not to be pulled downstream. The Hudson is a river, afterall, not a bay. Obviously, if you're a trained swimmer the current isn't dangerous (though all that feces discharged from sewage overflows might be), but if you're not used to swimming more than one length of a pool, I can't imagine how quickly you'd be in dire straits.

Seems a little inappropriate (and out of character for a normally tactful Gothamist) to have an Amazon affiliate link on the back of this tragic story, no?

I knew this person. He was quite witty and strange. Its sad to hear him go down like this - i hope he rests in a good place.

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