Hundreds of people on Sunday mourned the loss of 10-year-old Aaron Tepfer of Cedarhurst, who died early Saturday after his leg had become stuck in a boat propeller the day before.
A funeral service was held at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, where Aaron was supposed to start sixth grade today. His mother teaches there as well.
School spokesman Moshe Benoliel described Aaron as a “personable” boy who enjoyed piano and always looked out for other kids, Newsday reported.
Aaron was tubing in the waters off of Cedarhurst Yacht Club on Friday when he fell into the water around 2:20 p.m, according to police. A friend’s father, who was operating the boat, stopped, and Aaron swam toward the vessel. As he tried to club aboard, his left leg was caught in the propeller and he went underwater.
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The boat’s operator held Aaron’s life vest to keep his head above water until local emergency medical personnel arrived. He was brought to St. John’s Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition. Aaron was then transferred to Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, where he succumbed to his injuries at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 24.
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