(Updated: 8:30 pm.) Riverhead Police and rescue workers from four area fire departments, assisted by Suffolk Police and Coast Guard helicopters searched in vain for two young men who went missing in rough surf in the Long Island Sound off Wading River this afternoon.
The victims, 18 and 20 years old, went missing at about 3:30 p.m. They, along with a third man, attempted to cross Wading River Creek but were swept out into the Sound by strong currents police said. The third man made it to a large rock about 300 yards off the shore and was able to hold on until he was rescued.
A Riverhead Police dive team searched for the men for three hours in what police said was a recovery effort. The dive team suspended its search this evening and will resume its effort tomorrow morning.
A Wading River Fire Department marine unit, with assistance from Riverhead, Rocky Point and Ridge fire department vessels, searched the waters for nearly two hours.
A Coast Guard vessel will remain in the area overnight, police said.
No further information was immediately available.
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