While friends of the victims watched, officials pulled two bodies out of the Coney Island. The two dead include 44-year-old Willie Tom and 29-year-old Celine Fu. They got into the water by way of a friend’s personal watercraft when an abrupt turn caused Fu to fly out into the water. Once Tom noticed, he wasted no time jumping in to attempt a rescue.
Noted as a skilled swimmer, it doesn’t seem uncommon that Willie Tom would jumped in to assist Celine Fu. But as experienced a swimmer Tom was, Fu was equally inexperienced. With such lack, Fu apparently began wailing –making it impossible for Tom to save her.
As per Willie Tom’s brother, Michael Tom, “He was a very experienced Jet Skier, a very good swimmer — a great swimmer — and I guess there was no way he was coming out without her.” Further stating, “[That] even the best lifeguards get pulled under when someone is panicking.”
