Police: 2 teen brothers drown at Bayonne school’s indoor pool

Two teenage brothers drowned Wednesday night at Lincoln Community School Pool in Bayonne, police say.

News 12 Staff

Jun 9, 2022, 9:53 AM

Updated 854 days ago

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Two teenage brothers drowned Wednesday night at Lincoln Community School Pool in Bayonne, police say.
The drownings happened at the Lincoln Community School on Avenue E. The facility, also known as Public School No. 5, has an indoor pool.
Police were notified of two individuals, a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old, who had just been removed from the pool and were not breathing. 
"Everyone loved him, always a curious kid. Very hard working," Andrea Giron, a friend of one of the victims, told News 12. "I'm going to really miss him. Always loved him and always said I'd take him with me if I ever made it out."
Witnesses and the three lifeguards on duty say the victims were observed to be in distress in the deep end of the pool. 
As a lifeguard approached the deep end, he observed them unable to resurface and entered the pool with the other lifeguards. 
They were able to remove both from the pool and immediately began lifesaving measures.
The two victims, later determined to be brothers and residents of Bayonne, were transported to the Bayonne Medical Center where they were pronounced dead after further lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.      
“The City of Bayonne is in mourning tonight, as we learn of the passing of two teenage brothers, who drowned this evening at our Lincoln Community School Pool," Mayor Jimmy Davis said in a Facebook post." I ask that we all respect the privacy of the family, as they deal with this unspeakable tragedy. We all pray for comfort for our neighbors.”
The school district says one of brothers was a junior at Bayonne High School while the older brother recently graduated. 
Crisis and guidance counselors will be available at all schools today, the superintendent said in a letter to parents.
"Depressing. very depressing," said Christian Yousef, a senior at Bayonne HS. "Everyone's sad. We even had a moment of silence for those kids."
The pool is closed to all activities until further notice.
The names of the victims are not being released at this time.
Police confirm their younger sibling was also at the pool, but not involved in the incident.