Bronx River claims life of RKA student

By Adam Wisnieski

Crystal Reyes, 15, an eighth grader at the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141, drowned in the Bronx River on Sunday afternoon. Crystal was in a restricted area of the Bronx River near East 180th Street and Boston Road in Bronx Park, according to an FDNY spokesman. The area is fenced off and has “No Swimming” signs posted.

David Lee Luccioni III, 17, also drowned. According to news reports, David jumped in the river to save Crystal.

“It is a location that we have gone to once or twice a month with people in the area that shouldn’t be, and have trouble in the water,” the FDNY spokesman said.

Police and firefighters responded to the call at 2:45 p.m. and pulled Crystal out of the water soon after arriving. Both children were pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

“Crystal was a very independentminded and social young woman who had many friends to whom she was devoted. The entire RKA community feels this loss and our sympathies go out to her family,” RKA Principal Lori O’Mara wrote in an e-mail.

In response to the drownings, St. Barnabas Hospital released a list of safety tips for swimming, including to “swim in safe areas only where lifeguards are on duty” and “know your limits.”

In a letter to RKA parents, Ms. O’Mara wrote that the family has chosen to keep services private, but if any student has anything they wish to be passed on to the family it can be sent to the school. All items should be marked to the attention of Parent Coordinator Julia Prince.