The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today is identifying Idmael Elmonus, 38, from Cranston, as the victim of the drowning that occurred at around 7 PM July 18 at Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett. Mr. Elmonus was trying to rescue a 17-year-old boy and Moraida Medina, 20, both of Central Falls, who were in distress in the surf.
DEM applauds the bravery of the rescue swimmers from its Division of Law Enforcement and the Narragansett Police Department for saving two victims and trying to save Mr. Elmonus. Also, DEM wishes to recognize Mr. Elmonus’s selflessness in trying to help two people he did not know who were in trouble.
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DEM previously released Ms. Medina’s age as 21. This was inaccurate. She is 20.
Original Story
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today confirmed the death of a 38-year-old man who tried to rescue two swimmers who were in distress at Scarborough North State Beach shortly before 7 PM on July 18.
According to witnesses, a boy, 17, went into the water and quickly became distressed. A 21-year-old woman who came to the beach with the teenager saw him from the shoreline and went in to help him, but also struggled. The decedent, who did not know either swimmer, then went out to try to rescue them. Swimmers from the DEM Division of Law Enforcement and Narragansett Police Department were able to rescue the boy and woman and help bring the man aboard a Narragansett Fire Department boat, which took him to Point Judith. All victims were taken to South County Hospital, where the man was pronounced dead, and the boy and woman were released.
DEM says in a press release that it will release the decedent’s name and hometown pending notification of family members.
