Families Mourn Teens Drowned In Bronx River

Bronx River (NY1)

Even though signs clearly indicate that swimming isn't allowed in the Bronx River, the restored river remains tempting to nearby residents. In the wake of the drowning deaths of two teens in a part of the river near the Bronx Zoo, one man told the Daily News he'd wait a few weeks—out of respect for the victims—before swimming again, "It's like flying - it's two seconds of freedom."

On Sunday afternoon, Crystal Reyes, 15, was with friends when she lost her footing on some rocks and fell into the river. David Luccioni, 17, jumped into the water, which was 15-20 feet deep, to save her, but, the Post reports, "both of them got tangled in a patch of debris and branches under the murky river and drowned." Reyes' mother Elva Torres wept as she recounted how she was teaching her daughter to swim—"I take her to the beach. I take her to the pool. I tell her how far to go in. I never let her go in without me"—but was thankful that Luccioni tried to save her.

Luccioni's father, David Sr., had left his son's usual breakfast—a roll and coffee—near the river along with two candles yesterday. He said, "I was going to buy him a punch-bag Tuesday. I was pumping up his bike to use. It's not supposed to be like this."

Mayor Bloomberg pointed out that there are three pools in the area, "You know, you can't put a police officer everyplace. I think the signage, from what I can tell, was legitimate. They drowned swimming in an off-limits area." But a teen showed the News how easy it was to jump over the fence: In spite of cracking his head while swimming, Halim Dzurlic came back, "My philosophy is, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 20, 2010 1:44 PM

Comments [rss]

John L

A 14 year old living with her boyfriend part time? And the mother allowed this? WTF?

Kelles

The NY1 story is a little unsettling. The girl was 14, not yet 15; she didn't know how to swim, she just bought a swimsuit a week ago. The girl recently decided she was going to split her time btwn living w/her mother & boyfriend going instead w/unidentified boyfriend to river. there are just so many things wrong with this...

HBHB

Channel 7 news had me furious, they kept saying "low" fence over and over. There's nothing "low" about that fence.

Kelles

They tried to make it seem like the fault was not having a huge fence to keep kids out. Should fences be constructed at all rivers, lakes, ponds...the beach?? However did ppl exist before we constructed barricades around everything to protect us from our own stupidity?

mellow_fellow

In before the families file a lawsuit against the City.

MT

Exactly.

kc2slg

I feel terrible for the parents and families, but the kids knew what they were doing was wrong, and they did it anyway. Actions have consequences. I can only hope their friends (well, other than the "wait a couple weeks" fool) can learn from this.

HBHB

The news was showing video yesterday of kids swimming in the river apparently only hours after. Either way, it was definitely less than 24 hours after.

chuzzlewit

starting to gather that folks from nyc aren't real strong swimmers.

Cautious Pessimist

Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I beg to differ.

-Christopher Reeve

nicemarmot

"My philosophy is, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

I'm okay with that philosophy as long as it kills you before you reproduce.