Beach Tragedy: 6-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Swept Away by Dangerous Current

A 6-year-old girl drowned Saturday morning after being swept away by a powerful current while at a beach in Southampton on Long Island, New York, according to police.

The Southampton Town Police Department said officers were dispatched after receiving a 911 call reporting a drowning in Sebonac Creek at approximately 8:09 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.

When first responders arrived, they learned the child had been carried by the swift current from Sebonac Creek into the Great Peconic Bay. Rescue crews responded immediately, but the incident ended in tragedy. Great Peconic Bay is an estuary located between Long Island's North Fork and South Fork.

Police identified the victim as Kiara Paolasin, who lived in Brooklyn, New York.

According to police, the young girl entered the water to retrieve a lost shoe when she slipped and was caught in the strong current. A 16-year-old relative rushed into the water in an attempt to rescue her but was unable to bring her back to shore.

A nearby kayaker recovered the child from the water after finding her unresponsive. She was taken to Southampton Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Police said the girl had been visiting the beach with her family during the holiday weekend.

The incident remains under investigation by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office and the Southampton Town Police Department Detective Division. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators.

The tragedy comes as dangerous rip currents have impacted beaches along the East Coast over the holiday weekend. In Florida, more than 200 people were rescued from hazardous surf conditions, while two people—a 17-year-old boy and a 60-year-old man—lost their lives after being caught in powerful rip currents off Daytona Beach.