Swimmer drowns at Assateague

A swimmer drowned late Saturday night at Assateague Island National Seashore, authorities said.

Oniruddo Paul Somroy, 28, of Rockville, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Atlantic General Hospital around 1 a.m., according to Liz Davis, a spokeswoman for the park.

Somroy had been on the beach with a friend, in the over-sand vehicle zone, near kilometer 24. He decided to enter the water for a swim around 11:30 p.m. It wasn't long before Somroy expressed that he was in distress in the water, and the friend lost contact with him, according to Davis.

The friend attempted to find Somroy, but was unsuccessful. He called 911. The Berlin Fire Company in its run log reports having received a call for a water rescue at Assateague at 11:32 p.m.

Davis said two National Park Service rangers responded to the beach, and started to help the friend look for the victim in the water. At this point, Davis said the victim had been in the water about 45 minutes.

One of the rangers found Somroy in the surf, face-up. They started CPR.

At the same time, two EMTs who were staying at a nearby campsite responded to help, having heard radio chatter of the rescue. They moved the victim to a pickup truck, and continued CPR, as they headed north on the beach.

Maryland Natural Resources Police officers from Assateague State Park also responded.

An ambulance transported Somroy to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin at approximately 1 a.m., according to Davis, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staffers.

At this time the incident remains an open investigation, Davis said. Authorities are awaiting results of an autopsy.