Westchester Teen Drowns Off Shelter Island Near Wades Beach, Police Say

Timothy Magambo, 18, became separated during a group swim across a channel off Wades Beach, police say

He was pulled from the water and rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead

Officials say the drowning appears accidental; school district remembers him as an honors student and leader

An 18-year-old Westchester County man died Saturday after being pulled from the water off Shelter Island in what police say appears to be an accidental drowning.

Timothy Magambo, 18, of Pelham, N.Y., was visiting with friends when the group went swimming around 3 p.m., according to Shelter Island police.

Eight people entered the water near Wades Beach with plans to cross a shallow channel to Shell Beach, a nearby peninsula.

Police said Magambo became separated during the swim and attempted to turn back toward Wades Beach. When the group could not find him, he was reported missing.

He was later found face-down in the water several hundred yards from where he was last seen. A bystander and members of the group brought him to shore, where police, fire, and EMS performed lifesaving measures.

Magambo was transported to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport and then to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He suffered injuries consistent with drowning, authorities said.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. Police said the incident is believed to be accidental and no criminality is suspected.

Shelter Island Conditions and Safety Concerns

The incident occurred in a narrow channel northwest of the South Ferry landing near West Neck Harbor.

Navigation charts show water depths generally range from about 5 to 12 feet in the crossing between Wades Beach and the nearby peninsula, though conditions can change outside the main channel.

Police said currents can be stronger in the narrow passage. The water temperature at the time was about 57 degrees.

The U.S. Coast Guard classifies water below 70 degrees as cold water, warning that 50–60 degree water can quickly reduce muscle control and coordination, increasing drowning risk without flotation or protection.

Experts also note that wind, waves, and tidal flow can accelerate hypothermia risk and make self-rescue difficult even for strong swimmers.

School Response

Magambo was a freshman at the University at Albany, according to his online profiles. He previously attended Pelham Memorial High School.

Pelham School District Superintendent Cheryl Champ said the district was “extremely saddened” by Magambo’s death, describing him as a student leader, athlete, and honors student.

“We are extremely saddened to share that Timothy Magambo, PMHS Class of 2025 graduate, tragically passed away this weekend near Shelter Island,” she wrote. “This loss is incredibly upsetting for everyone who knew Timothy.”

Champ said Magambo attended Colonial School and Pelham Middle School before Pelham Memorial High School, where he played football and lacrosse.

She said he was an honors student and member of the National Honor Society, and served as class president and peer leadership mentor.

“Please join us in keeping Timothy, his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers,” she wrote.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.