The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES are again urging beach-goers to heed all meteorological warnings about coastline swells after a 33-year-old man drowned at Cabbage Beach.

The incident, which happened on Tuesday at around 1pm, is the second drowning in three days at the same Paradise Island beach.

Police spokesperson Chrislyn Skippings told The Tribune that despite public messages and advisories about conditions at beaches, drownings seemed to be on the rise.

There were cautionary signs on the beach during both incidents.

A warning has been issued advising swimmers to stay out of the water until at least Friday.

“We just want people to pay attention to the warnings and obey them. Do not go into the waters if officials send word that it is dangerous to do so,” Inspector Skippings said.

According to reports the victim, a resident of Kool Acres, died after he rescued a visitor from rough waters and was trying to retrieve her belongings.

Officials said a large wave swept the victim away.

When he was taken from the water, bystanders attempted to resuscitate the him but they were unsuccessful.

He was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

It is understood that the man was an umbrella vendor on the beach.

His death followed another incident which claimed the life of a US man identified by police as Eugene Fedrick Lasage.

Lasage, a resident of California, was swimming at Cabbage Beach with a female friend at around 3.45pm on Saturday.

He noticed that another woman was having difficulty in the water and attempted to assist her, but was also overcome by the waves.