Morristown Man Drowns Trying To Save Friends From Rip Tide In Puerto Rico

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown man was found dead last week, days after he’d attempted to save his friends from drowning in the waters of Puerto Rico.

Samuel Cruz, 23, was on vacation with friends in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last week when the incident occurred, his family said.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Cruz and two other Good Samaritans jumped into the waters of Condado Beach to rescue two of his friends who were struggling in the ocean on Wednesday evening.

The two friends and the other two Good Samaritans returned to shore safely, but Cruz was “swept away by a wave and currents,” officials said.

The Coast Guard launched a major search for Cruz, using boats and helicopters, spanning 853 square nautical miles along the Puerto Rican coast.

Cruz’s body was found on Friday, roughly 1.5 miles off the coast of Condado Beach.

“Although this is a most unfortunate outcome, we hope that recovering Samuel can provide his loved ones with some closure,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, Sector San Juan search and rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Our hearts are with his family and loved ones as we extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time.”

Cruz’s family is “heartbroken and struggling to process this unimaginable loss,” according to his sister, Jacky.

A GoFundMe launched by Jacky is raising money for funeral arrangements and other costs.

“Because of his bravery his friends were able to make it out safely. Unfortunately while saving them, Sam lost his own life,” the GoFundMe reads. “He has always been the kind of person to put others above himself, anyone who knew him knows how deeply he cared for the people around him.”

Cruz was a senior at New York Institute of Technology and was on pace to graduate in May.