Monday, July 23 – Father Dies Trying To Save Sons

OCEAN CITY – The resort suffered its second fatal drowning of the summer last night.

Although emergency personnel know the identity of the man, they were mum on details today. All that’s known is a 38-year-old Fruitland man drowned trying to save his two sons, 10 and 13 years old, who were reportedly struggling to stay close to shore near the Inlet. A rip current is likely to blame.

A nearby boater rescued the two boys, but their father died trying to save them, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Unlike when a teenager died earlier this summer, the family was in the ocean after the Ocean City Beach Patrol had ceased its coverage for the day.

That 19-year-old was reportedly a non-swimmer who got caught in a rip current with family members. While his relatives were rescued by nearby lifeguards, his body was discovered later off Assateague Island.

Further details of yesterday’s tragedy are unknown at this time. For the complete story on Sunday evening’s incident, see The Dispatch on Friday.