NEW YORK – An experienced paddleboarder and registered nurse, Lisa Margaritis, 49, died after trying to rescue a fellow paddleboarder during a paddleboard yoga class on August 2, Newsday reported.
Margaritis of Albertson, NY “was pronounced dead at Eastern Long Island Hospital shortly after the 9:52 AM incident in Hashamomuck Pond,” said Det. Sgt. John Sinning, Newsday reported, adding that “three women were paddleboarding in the waters of Mill Creek and Hashamomuck Pond when one of them began to experience problems navigating the strong current under the Long Island Rail Road bridge.
“Margaritis, whom police described as an experienced paddleboarder, tried to assist the other woman but was thrown into the waters when her paddleboard hit a snag on the bridge piling, Sinning said, adding that she was ‘tethered to the board and was unable to free herself,’” Newsday reported.
A jogger, who happened to be passing by, “jumped into the water and freed Margaritis from the bridge piling and brought her to shore, where rescue teams performed CPR,” ABC News reported, adding that “she was was transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital, where she died, police said.”
Margaritis’ mother, Jean Weber, told Newsday she was “devastated” over her daughter’s death, but was not surprised that she died trying to save someone else.
“She was a hero in my eyes. She wanted to save somebody else. She was always kind,” Weber said, Newsday reported.
Margaritis also taught at the Garcia Muay Thai & MMA Gym in Glen Cove. According to her biography on the gym’s website, she was married and had one child.
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