On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the Coney Island boardwalk—a place usually alive with laughter, music, and the scent of saltwater—became the scene of heartbreak for one Brooklyn family. On August 6, 2025, 18-year-old Jun Alexander Obas drowned just off the famous Cyclone rollercoaster, marking the third drowning at a New York City beach this summer, according to reports from Patch, Gothamist, and the New York Daily News.
Jun’s story is both deeply personal and a stark reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy. It was his first ever trip to the beach, a milestone many teenagers take for granted. For Jun, who lived with autism and epilepsy, the outing was a long-awaited adventure. His mother, Karla Judith Obas, 39, told the Daily News in Spanish, “He wanted to enjoy the beach. He was asking a lot. We never went to the beach with him because of the epilepsy.”
Despite her apprehensions, Karla relented, moved by Jun’s excitement. She described how the family—herself, Jun, and his two sisters—eased into the day, taking it slow and staying close to the water’s edge. Cellphone video captured the family sitting quietly, their toes just barely touched by gentle waves. “He was good. He was fine,” Karla recalled. “We went in the water with him. Me and his sister were bathing. I was teaching him because it was the first time.”
But the calm didn’t last. As the waves grew stronger, Jun suffered a medical episode in the water near W. 10th St. and Surf Ave. around 3 p.m. Suddenly, he was face down in about two feet of water. His sister grabbed his hand, but Jun—who weighed around 200 pounds—did not respond. Karla and her daughters struggled to pull him out, but it was too difficult. In a panic, Karla began screaming for help.
Beachgoers and on-duty lifeguards rushed over. Lifeguards managed to pull Jun from the water, but he was unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency crews arrived quickly, and Jun was rushed to Coney Island Hospital—also known as South Brooklyn Health—in critical condition. Despite every effort, he was pronounced dead just 20 minutes after arrival, police said.
According to Patch, the initial autopsy was inconclusive, and the official cause of death remains under investigation. However, sources close to the investigation told News12 Brooklyn that Jun may have suffered a medical episode before drowning. The Daily News confirmed that Jun had been taking medication to manage his epilepsy. “The doctor never told me that he cannot go to the beach,” Karla said, her grief palpable. “He was a child who was born sick. It was not easy for him. He had autism and he had his epilepsy.”
Jun’s death has sent ripples through the Coney Island community and beyond. The city Parks Department issued a statement expressing condolences: “We are saddened by this tragic loss of life and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends. We’re grateful for the swift response by Parks lifeguards who work hard every day to keep New Yorkers safe.” The Parks Department also confirmed that swimming was permitted in the area where Jun drowned.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about water safety on New York City beaches, especially for vulnerable swimmers. This summer alone, at least three people have drowned at city beaches. Last year, two teenage girls died at Coney Island Beach after they entered the water during a rainstorm. The Daily News also reported on two other recent drownings at Rockaway Beach: a 23-year-old man whose body washed ashore on July 31 after disappearing during stormy weather, and 37-year-old Jimmy Rambally, a former lifeguard who drowned during a prohibited late-night swim on July 12.
Swimming is prohibited on New York City beaches during thunderstorms and after lifeguards go off duty at 6 p.m., a rule designed to prevent tragedies like these. Yet, even with precautions, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Jun’s drowning occurred in broad daylight, with lifeguards on duty, in an area where swimming was allowed—a sobering reminder that no safety measure is foolproof.
The loss of Jun Obas is especially poignant given the circumstances. He would have turned 19 next month. Instead of planning a birthday celebration, his family is now grappling with funeral arrangements and the enormity of their loss. Karla Obas told the Daily News she would try to remember how happy her son was in his final moments. “He was happy,” she said. “I was happy because I took him there.”
For families with children who have special needs, outings like a day at the beach can be fraught with anxiety. Karla’s decision to take Jun was made with love, caution, and the hope of giving him a cherished experience. “This is the first time we went to the beach with him because I was always afraid of the water with him,” she explained. The family’s careful approach—staying close, taking it slow—was not enough to prevent tragedy when Jun’s medical condition intervened.
Water safety experts stress the importance of vigilance and preparation, especially for those with medical vulnerabilities. But as Jun’s story shows, even the best intentions and precautions can sometimes fall short. The city’s lifeguards, praised for their swift response, do their utmost to keep swimmers safe, but the ocean is unpredictable, and medical emergencies can escalate quickly.
Meanwhile, the summer continues, and New Yorkers flock to beaches to escape the heat and enjoy the city’s waterfronts. But for the Obas family, and for the families of others lost to the water, the season will be marked by grief and remembrance. The city’s beaches, with all their beauty and allure, also carry risks that can never be entirely eliminated.
The recent ranking of New York’s Lake George as the seventh most dangerous summer vacation spot, as reported by News12 Brooklyn, adds another layer to the discussion about water safety in the state. Whether at a bustling city beach or a scenic lake, the dangers are real, and the need for caution is ever-present.
In the end, Jun Obas’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of the sea. His mother’s words linger: “He was happy.” For a brief moment, Jun experienced the simple joy of the beach—a joy that so many take for granted. His loss is felt deeply, not just by his family, but by a city that mourns with them, hoping that greater awareness and vigilance might prevent such tragedies in the future.
