Surfer dies in Lido Beach

A Long Beach man died on Friday after he had been surfing in Lido Beach and was rushed to an area hospital, Nassau County police said.

The incident occurred at 2:49 p.m., when police said that witnesses observed 28-year-old Long Beach resident Michael Connolly become physically distressed in the water while surfing.

According to police, Connolly was taken from the water with the assistance of Lido and Long Beach lifeguards and was transported to a local hospital by the Long Beach Fire Department. He was pronounced dead at 4:20 p.m.

Police did not release further details about the incident, or say what led Connolly to become in trouble while in the water. According to a local daily newspaper, Long Beach Chief of Lifeguards Paul Gillespie said Connolly was surfing with two friends and collapsed on his board of an apparent heart attack. Gillespie is quoted as saying that Connolly had a history of heart problems. Nassau County detectives said that they are investigating the incident.

This is a developing story.