Commack -Boy drowns in sandpit

August 7, 1962 12 year old Phillip Landi of 11 Putnam Court was swimming in an abandoned and unfenced sand pit near the Klein’s Department store (which was under construction at the time and is currently BJ’s). Philip suddenly floundered and went under water in the 12 foot deep pond at the bottom of the pit, which is next to Niagara Lane. The boys cousin Michael Bonadonna, 12, who was with him, jumped in and tried to save him but could not. Police and firefighters tried to revive him, but failed. He was pronounced dead at 1350 hours. The pond was about 250 feet long by 40 feet wide. Residents in the area report that the swimming has been going on at the pit since May. Boys had built a raft and diving board and local residents said that diving equipment had been found one time in a nearby abandoned shack. The Commack FD rescue effort was directed by 1st Assistant Chief William Hulser. Artificial respiration was applied by Nick Avella, Jim Hynes, William Hulser and Ed Davis. Story and photo are in the 8-9-62 Smithtown News.