Brooklyn, NY – A 77-year-old Russian grandmother, visiting family in Brooklyn, tragically drowned at Manhattan Beach Park on Monday evening after requesting a few more minutes to enjoy the surf. Liudmila Marchenko was found face down in the water just as lifeguards’ shifts ended, prompting a heartbreaking response from her family and community.
Drowning Occurs After Lifeguard Shift Ends
According to the New York City Parks Department, Park Enforcement Patrol officers alerted lifeguards around 6:15 p.m. after swimmers spotted Marchenko floating face down near Oriental Boulevard. Lifeguards immediately administered CPR while awaiting paramedics, who rushed her to Coney Island Hospital, where she was declared dead around 7 p.m.
Marchenko’s daughter, Natalia Sapunkova, told the Daily News that her mother called her around 5:45 p.m. to ask for more time at the beach, not anticipating the tragic outcome.
Grandmother Loved the Water and Family Celebrations
Marchenko, a resident of Kemerovo, Siberia, had been visiting the U.S. since July 15 to celebrate her daughter’s birthday and spend time with her family in Sheepshead Bay. Family friends recalled Marchenko’s heartfelt birthday performance, where she recited poetry and sang for her daughter.
“She gave me such an impression. She was very beautiful. Loved to live,” said family friend Sofia Kozel.
During her stay, Marchenko also visited Washington, D.C., including the National Gallery and the White House, but she particularly cherished Brooklyn’s southern coast, where she spent hours in the water daily.
Family Shares Grief and Safety Message
Marchenko’s granddaughter, 20-year-old Yana Sapunkova, emphasized her grandmother’s love for the beach, noting that even though Coney Island and Manhattan Beach are a little dirty, it was a treasured experience compared to no beach in Siberia.
Her mother, Natalia, urged other beachgoers to heed the dangers of swimming when lifeguards are off duty:
“If you want to swim so late after lifeguards, only you are responsible. I hope this story will help someone be safe in the water,” she said.
The family described Marchenko as a central figure in their lives, whose love and guidance shaped their childhood memories. The tragedy serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of swimming without supervision.
What lessons do you take from this tragic incident? Share your thoughts on water safety and precautions in the comments below.
