ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Gavin Connolly swims at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Days after a man drowned at Breakheart Reservation, the Saugus Police Department is reminding residents to swim safely.
Roberto Martinez, 35, was found underwater near rocks on Monday. He had been swimming in an area where “No Swimming” signs were posted, according to the Essex County District Attorney.
Martinez’s death comes on the heels of another drowning in June. Jose Angel Capellan Rodriguez, a 13-year-old boy from Lynn, drowned at Walden Pond in Lynn Woods, where swimming is also prohibited.
“The loss of these two lives at swimming areas in and around Saugus this summer is extremely tragic,” said Chief Domenic DiMella in a statement. “Our goal is for residents to stay safe for the duration of the season. “
As a result of the tragedies, police issued a set of common sense guidelines by the American Red Cross, urging people not to swim alone and to swim in areas supervised by lifeguards. Parents should never leave a child unattended near the water and not to trust a child’s life to another child.
Inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets, the statement says. If someone is having trouble in the water, they should draw attention to themselves. If caught in a rip current, the department said don’t panic or try to fight the current. Instead, the person should float or tread water until they are away from the current and can swim to the shore.
“These are all basic guidelines that I grew up with,” said Amanda Heath of Saugus, who was at the Breakheart Reservation beach with her 11-year-old son Gavin.
She has been coming to the beach since she was an infant and remembers when the safety rope extended much further into the water, she said.
“I remember being younger and going in where it was over my head,” she said. “It’s important for people to pay attention the rules. Accidents keep happening.”
LeeAnn Rubin of Newbury said her children are too young to be left alone, but said she feels more comfortable knowing the lifeguards are also watching them.
Erica Schueng of Winthrop said she keeps a close eye on her daughter, Nathaly, 3, when they visit the beach.
“She wears a lifejacket and she doesn’t get in the water without it,” she said. “I think it’s good they have the barriers separating different parts. If they didn’t have the first one, my daughter would go further. It keeps them in here, and I tell her not to go past it. Then the older kids can go a bit deeper.”
Rose Nogueira brings her daughter Sophia to Breakheart two to three times per week, and added that she rarely sees anyone swimming past the safety ropes or jumping off the rocks.
The department included in its statement that residents should never drink alcohol while swimming.
“Whether you’re at a state reservation, the beach, or a pool, always be cognizant of your surroundings, do not swim unless there is a lifeguard on duty and never go in areas where there are posted signs warning against swimming,” DiMella said.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.