Cranston Man Identified Who Died Trying To Rescue 2 Swimmers At Beach In Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) on Thursday identified the Cranston man who drowned trying to rescue two swimmers in distress at Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett.

DEM officials identified the drowning victim as Idmael Elmonus, 38, who died Tuesday trying to save Moraida Medina, 20, and a 7-year-old boy, both of Central Falls.

DEM officials said the drowning happened around 7 p.m. According to witnesses, a 17-year-old boy went into the water and began struggling to stay afloat. Medina, who came to the beach with the teenager saw him from the shoreline and went in to help him, but also struggled.

DEM officials said Elmonus did not know either swimmer, but went in the water and attempted to rescue them.

Swimmers from the DEM Division of Law Enforcement and Narragansett police were able to rescue the boy and Medina and help bring Elmonus aboard a Narragansett Fire Department boat, which took him to Point Judith.

All three victims were taken to South County Hospital, where Elmonus was pronounced dead, and the others were released, according to DEM officials.

"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," a DEM spokesperson said. "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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