Man drowns trying to rescue teenager, woman in Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on Wednesday released more information on a drowning at Scarborough North State Beach.

Witnesses told the department that a 17-year-old boy struggled in the water shortly after he went in around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A 20-year-old woman saw him in distress and went in after him. Officials said the pair went to the beach together, but it was unclear how they know each other.

As a single red flag posted at the beach warned of high surf and waist-deep restrictions, the woman began to struggle trying to save the teenager.

That’s when officials said a 38-year-old man, who did not know either of them, also got in the water.

Crews were called and members of the DEM and Narragansett police rescued the swimmers. A Narragansett Fire Department boat brought the man aboard and took him to Point Judith.

All three people were taken to South County Hospital. The 38-year-old man died, and the two swimmers were released.

The department did not release their names.