Swimmer drowns after rescue attempts at Lake Worth beach

Click title for link to Channel 5 story - the drowning happened after 6 p.m. once lifeguards had left.

Here's more direct from the Sheriff's office:

Date: 4/13/09

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Lake Worth Beach

10 S. Ocean Blvd

Lake Worth

Circumstances: On 4/13/09 at about 6:30 pm the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call from a citizen at Lake Worth Beach. The caller advised there was a b/m swimmer that appeared to be in distress in the water. The swimmer was located about 200 yards north of the pier about 200 yards away from shore. A Good Samaritan, a 15 year old black male, went into the water to assist the swimmer. As this was taking place PBSO, City of Lake Worth Fire Rescue, and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue units arrived on scene. Emergency personnel were advised by the Good Samaritan that he saw the victim flailing his arms and screaming for help in the water. He said he swam out to the victim and tried to bring him back to shore. The Good Samaritan relayed that the victim told him his legs were cramped up and he had a hard time staying up. The Good Samaritan said he was having trouble swimming back to shore with the victim who was panicking. The Good Samaritan advised he had to let go of the victim or he would have gone under as well.

Another Good Samaritan, a w/m with a red/white surf board, attempted to locate the victim in the water. He was unsuccessful. A brief search took place via PBSO Marine Unit and the PBSO helicopter. The helicopter found the victim a short distance from where he was last seen above the water. Fire Rescue personnel pulled the victim out of the water and onto shore.

Currently there is a death investigation underway. PBSO detectives and crime scene personal are on scene. The Medical Examiner has been notified. No identification has been made as of yet on the victim. He is described as a black male approximately 5’9, 160lbs, shoulder length dreads, wearing white/blue Adidas shorts. He had a green bandana around his head.

The 15 year old Good Samaritan was taken to Bethesda Medical Center by his family. He swallowed a lot of water that made him feel ill. He is expected to be okay.