A six-year-old girl, Kiara Paolasin, drowned on Saturday morning during a Fourth of July holiday outing with her family in Southampton, on Long Island, New York. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. as the family, who had traveled from Brooklyn, was enjoying their holiday.
Kiara was wading in the shallows of Sebonac Creek when she was caught in a strong current and swept into Great Peconic Bay. A 16-year-old relative attempted to rescue her but was unable to reach her due to the powerful water flow. The family managed to flag down a passing kayaker, who pulled Kiara from the water and brought her back to shore.
Paramedics were on hand when Kiara was brought ashore, but she had already drowned. She was subsequently transported to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, where she was declared dead. Police are currently investigating the drowning, and the official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.
The Hamptons, a popular destination for the Independence Day holiday weekend, saw thousands of visitors. The incident occurred during a heatwave affecting New York City and the surrounding regions, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting many to seek relief at the beach.