Search suspended for girl off Coney Island

Rescuers have suspended their search for a 10-year-old girl in the waters off Coney Island. The Coast Guard and NYPD had been searching for Akira Johnson since she went missing around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

News 12 Staff

Jul 28, 2008, 3:06 AM

Updated 5,921 days ago

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Rescuers have suspended their search for a 10-year-old girl in the waters off Coney Island.
The Coast Guard and NYPD had been searching for Akira Johnson since she went missing around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Lifeguards were able to pull Johnson's cousin to safety, but not her.
Beachgoers looked on as divers suited up Sunday and searched the choppy waters. "My heart drops, I mean, as a mother," said Ellen Weinkrantz. "It's just the saddest, most horrific thing you can ? hear."
Johnson is among three missing swimmers and four who've been confirmed dead in two days of treacherous ocean currents off New York City and Long Island beaches.
The National Weather Service attributes the rough waters to a strong storm system that brought 8-foot waves to the area last week.
The search is suspended until investigators get leads on where the girl's body may be.