Responders recall life-saving rescue during Rockaway Beach shark attack in August

The lifeguards and other first responders who saved 65-year-old Tatyana Koltunyuk’s life after she was attacked by a shark off of Rockaway Beach in August were recognized at City Hall on Monday.

“We have a New Yorker that is with a family right now because you responded,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Each one knew what needed to be done and you coordinated together to get it done. And we just wanted to pause for a moment and just say thank you.”

Romeo Ortiz has been a lifeguard for more than 13 years, but it was his first time dealing with a shark bite — there hasn’t been one in New York since the 1950s. He was on duty when he first heard the calls for help and jumped into action, pulling Koltunyuk out of the water.

“So my idea was to at least stop the bleeding, and I used whatever was available, just a pair of sweatpants just to stop the bleeding — there was blood everywhere,” said Ortiz, who was one of five lifeguards honored Monday.

His colleague, William McDonnell, reinforced Ortiz’s makeshift tourniquet using the string of a buoy. Finally, the NYPD officers and Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived on scene and applied a proper tourniquet before rushing Koltunyuk to the hospital, where she would undergo major surgery.

“I think it was a group effort. I think the lifeguards, the EMT’s and the police all had a huge part in this and one without the other, it wouldn't have worked,” McDonnell said.

Public school teacher Nora Schreiber has spent the last 10 summers lifeguarding. She said Koltunyuk was a regular swimmer at the beach, and she hopes to see her back in the ocean someday soon.

“We affectionately called her grandma — she would always be in the ocean enjoying, so, of course, our hearts are with her,” Schreiber said. “We wish her the best in a speedy recovery and we hope also to see that she still continues to enjoy swimming in the ocean despite this terrible misfortune.”

It was an intense situation, but all three lifeguards said they agreed they would be back next summer.

“It’s the best job in the world,” McDonnell said.

Koltunyuk was unable to make the press conference honoring those who saved her, including two emergency medical technicians and three police officers. She expressed her appreciation in a statement.

“I will forever be grateful to the police officers and EMTs who saved my life in the aftermath of the attack, and most especially to officer Rinaldo,” Koltunyuk said in a statement read out loud by Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi at the press conference. “The road to recovery ahead of me is going to be a long one, but I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to be here and to continue to marvel in life's miracles.”