Mayor: Take Advantage of Bathing Beaches

After a swimmer nearly drowned in the ocean off East Hampton Village's Main Beach on Thursday afternoon, village officials cautioned residents and visitors to look for lifeguards. 

Police Chief Jerry Larsen told the village trustees about the incident during the village board meeting on Friday. The swimmer, Juan Carlos Salvana, a 30-year-old visiting from Long Island City, was visiting the beach with relatives when he went out for a swim. Larsen said there was a strong rip current on Friday. 

Salvana is critical, but stable condition, after being pulled out of the surf and resuscitated, Larsen said. 

No lifeguards were on duty yet. They only took their post on Friday, the first day of summer.

Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said, "The village has tried to limit it's liability by way of signage. Take advantage of the bathing beaches where we have lifeguards staffed to make certain you are safe."

Also at the meeting on Friday, Rickenbach led a moment of silence for Anna Lytton, the 14-year-old girl who died after she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle in the village on Saturday.

Lytton would have graduated from eighth grade at the Springs School with her class on Thursday evening. Her 16-year-old brother, James Lytton, accepted the diploma on her behalf.