A Fourth of July weekend getaway in the Hamptons turned tragic on Saturday when a 6-year-old Brooklyn girl was swept away by a powerful current in Sebonac Creek and later died at a local hospital, authorities said.
Southampton Town police said the child was visiting with family at the beach at the end of Sebonac Inlet Road at about 8:09 a.m. when she went into the water to retrieve footwear that had floated away. A strong current pulled her from the creek into the Great Peconic Bay. A 16-year-old relative tried to reach her but was pushed back by the fast-moving water, according to officers. A passing kayaker was able to pull the girl to shore, where police began CPR before she was taken to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital by EMS. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. These details were provided by local authorities and reported by Patch.
The girl was identified as 6-year-old Kiara Paolasin of Brooklyn. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released an official cause of death, as reported by the New York Post. The outlet also noted that the region was under extreme heat alerts through the holiday weekend, as families crowded area beaches and shorelines. Authorities said the family had been visiting for the July 4 weekend.
Currents and summer hazards in the Peconic Bay
Tidal creeks that empty into the Great Peconic Bay can generate deceptively strong currents that pull out into deeper water, especially near inlets and channels. Local conservation and water safety advocates have long warned that even seemingly calm, shallow spots can turn dangerous when the tide and wind shift. Peconic Baykeeper and other local resources note that these conditions can move quickly and catch visitors off guard, particularly small children and inexperienced swimmers. Families are urged to be especially cautious around creek mouths and unguarded stretches of shoreline.
Investigation and how to help
Southampton Town Police detectives have opened an investigation into the suspected drowning and are continuing their preliminary review of what happened. Anyone with information is asked to call the department’s tip line at 631-728-3454, according to the Southampton Town Police. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and will conduct any necessary follow-up, Patch reports. Authorities said they plan to release additional details as the investigation moves forward.
