Paddleboarder drowns in Hempstead Lake; kids survive

An area of Hempstead Lake State Park in the Town of Hempstead, N.Y. (FOX 5 NY File Photo/Arun Kristian Das)

A new York City man who was boating with his kids on a lake in Nassau County drowned on Sunday evening, police said. 

Jing Li, 39, of Flushing, Queens, and his two young children were on a paddleboard on Hempstead Lake when the board capsized at about 5:45 p.m., according to the New York State Police. Li went under the surface of the water, police said.

A nearby kayaker helped the children get to shore safely, police said.

State Police, State Park Police, Rockville Centre Police, a Nassau County Police helicopter, and personnel from three fire departments responded to search for Li, authorities said.

First responders found Li a short time later and pulled him from the lake, police said, but it was too late. Li was taken to Mercy Medical Center where the staff declared him deceased.

His children were not hurt, police said.

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