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- On The Record: Family of Playland Drowning Victim Sues
On The Record: Family of Playland Drowning Victim Sues
Lifeguards' poor response caused child's death, father claims
Good morning subscribers. ☕ This is your Thursday, Jan. 15, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a high of 42 degrees ⛅ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
Dark cloud. The father of a 5-year-old Bronx boy who drowned in Playland Pool claims the Westchester County-owned facility was understaffed and the lifeguards were ill-equipped to respond to the emergency.
Abdulhakim Amer Thabit contends that his son’s tragic death was caused by the “reckless disregard of the public’s safety” by the county and its former amusement park and pool operator, Standard Amusements, according to a recently filed lawsuit.
The child was visiting Playland Park with his mother and grandmother on Aug. 1, 2024, when he drowned in the park’s swimming pool — and died days later.
“The lifeguards’ response to the emergency was not only inexcusably delayed, it was also inept and uncoordinated,” Thabit said in court papers.
Attorneys for the county and Standard argued that Playland’s lifeguards didn’t act improperly and were equipped to handle the crisis situation. Standard’s defense team said the child’s death was a result of his family’s “negligent supervision” in the lawsuit, but attorney Carla Varriale-Barker declined to comment further.
On the day of the incident, the boy spent more than five minutes under water after struggling to swim, yet lifeguards on duty either “ignored or did not notice” he was submerged in the pool, according to the lawsuit filed in Westchester County Supreme Court.
To read more of Camille Botello’s reporting, click here.
County police initially said the five-year-old died as a result of a seizure, but the Westchester Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death was from drowning. Photo/Alison Rodilosso
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Camille Botello
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IN OTHER NEWS
CALLING IT QUITS. Brian Jackson is stepping down as president of the Rye Chamber of Commerce over what, he says, are increasingly conflicting obligations with his professional career. -David Hessekiel
QUIET PLEASE. Rye lawmakers are ready to consider banning gas-powered leaf blowers, reopening a debate that the City Council tabled last year amid disagreements over timing, technology, and an impending election that reshaped the council’s makeup. -Rosie Newmark
PLAY BALL. After being turned down for grant money to renovate the ailing Gagliardo Park for the second time in as many years, Rye officials seem eager to commit city funds for renovations to the park anyway. -Laurie Mermet
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
SPORTS
Coach Peter Thomas led Rye past Pelham after tying last week. Photo/Steven Cao
Rye vs. Pelham in hockey matters. Sure, it’s just another game on the schedule, but it’s more than that.
The Pelicans, who entered this week as the top-ranked team in Section 1 Division 2, tied the fourth-ranked Garnets in their first meeting a week ago.
In Tuesday’s rematch at The Ice Hutch, Rye picked up a resounding 4-1 victory. Riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, the Garnets (8-1-1) left little doubt as to which team is the current class of the division.
-by Steven Kearney
The Rye Fire Department responded to 351 Park Ave., after a driver crashed their car through the house. Photo courtesy Nicole Levitsky
POLICE & FIRE
A driver crashed their car into a Rye home Sunday morning, causing major damage.
The Rye Fire Department responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 11 that someone had crashed their car through a resident’s house at 351 Park Ave.
The Rye Police Department is still investigating the cause of the Sunday incident, city officials said.
-by Record staff
SPORTS
Senior Carson Miller scored 22 points Monday. Photo/Steven Cao
Every game is a chapter in the story of a season. You prepare for the game, you play the game, you learn from the game, you move forward.
In Rye’s 72-60 road win Monday against an excellent Roosevelt squad, not only did Garnets put up the most points they’ve scored all year, they learned they have the skill and the depth to handle any team’s speed.
Carson Miller led the way for Rye with 22 points.
-by Steven Kearney
Councilwman James Ward at his inauguration ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 4. Ward was named deputy mayor at last Wednesday's City Council meeting. Photo/Alison Rodilosso
CITY
Councilman James Ward has been named deputy mayor, new Mayor Josh Nathan announced at a recent City Council meeting.
In making the appointment, Nathan said Ward, who was reelected to the council in November, was a “visionary and deep thinker.”
He called his fellow Democrat a “perfect partner” and added that when Ward “suggests we do something, it always makes fiscal sense.”
-by Miranda Ferrante