Swimmer who drowned in Scituate identified

SCITUATE, Mass. — A missing swimmer pulled from the water in Scituate on Tuesday has been identified, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Jhon Michel, 29, of Brockton drowned on Tuesday after he was reported missing around 2:45 p.m. in the area of the Edward Foster Road Bridge.

Rescue crews from the United States Coast Guard, along with Scituate Police, Cohasset Police and Marshfield Police all responded to the scene to assist with the search. Michel was located in the water just before 4 p.m. He was taken to South Shore Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A massive search and rescue effort was conducted on the water, in the air and under water in Scituate on Tuesday afternoon.

On this scorching hot June day, a landscape crew of three decided to take a dip to cool off by jumping off of the bridge on Edward Foster Road. Naveah Dwyer was close by and saw the man struggling.

“He was waving his arms, like screaming for help, and then his friend who was holding him up went under, and then they just told me to call 911,” said Nevaeh Dwyer, who lives in Scituate.

She said the man who is reportedly in his late 20s was sucked down by the strong current.

“It’s like a rip current. So, it goes in a circle, and can just pull you under in seconds.” Dwyer said.

Scituate’s Town Administrator Jim Boudreau said water there runs swiftly as the tide changes.

“He actually jumped on this side of the bridge and was pulled into the bay on the other side. It can be very difficult conditions when the water is running,” Boudreau said.

Dwyer said his friend jumped in to help.

“His two friends went to try to keep him above water, he just, he didn’t come back up,” she said.

One of those men also had to be rescued and was rushed to the hospital. The condition of the second man taken to the hospital is not known. The drowning is the latest in a series of water mishaps this year.

“It’s been a very bad start to the season. I mean summer is not even here yet and we’ve had multiple drownings across the state,” Boudreau said.

Locals said the bridge is a popular place to take a plunge.

“People have been jumping off the bridge forever,” said Jim Duffy from Scituate.

Boudreau said there are signs warning of the danger and police routinely kick people off this bridge and others in town. He also advised caution in the water as the 4th of July holiday approaches.

“We urge people to swim with those lifeguards, know your limitations and be safe,” Boudreau said.

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