Teen Missing in Water Off Rockaway Beach

2008_07_rockam.jpgAfter searching for hours, emergency crews were unable to find a 16-year-old missing in the waters off Rockaway Beach. Witnesses say a "big wave" knocked down two teens in the water around 3:30 p.m.; rescuers were able to rescue 16-year-old Carla Armaza, but could not find 16-year-old Tiara Coaxum. The search was suspended around 6:45 p.m., because police and Coast Guard dive teams, per the Post, "were losing light, but planned to resume the search this morning." Rockaway Park residents spoke of the dangers in the waters, "There are drop offs. The undertow is extremely severe. The rip tides are extremely severe."

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Super dangerous -- once I got wiped out by a wave and sucked into the undertow. I had no idea what to do, and just felt myself being tumbled over and over underwater. By some miracle, the movement of the water actually spit me out and I took advantage of that push to start swimming back and riding the waves instead of fighting them.

And nobody even noticed as it happened so fast!

Will never go in that water again!

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