Massachusetts Swimmer Drowns At Hampton Beach; Good Samaritan Surfer Saves Another

HAMPTON, NH — State officials are investigating a drowning at Hampton Beach on Tuesday.

Around 7:30 p.m., New Hampshire State Police received a call about a possible drowning, according to Amber Lagace, the public information officer for the department.

“At the time,” she said, “it was reported that one person had been rescued from the water and another was still missing.”

A Good Samaritan, surfing in the area, heard the screams for help and found two swimmers in distress. One man, a 28-year-old from Lawrence, Massachusetts, was quickly brought to shore. The surfer called 911 to let them know about the second simmer.

Lagace said Hampton firefighters arrived and searched the area. Others, including Hampton police, Marine Patrol, and the U.S. Coast Guard, were also called to the scene. Firefighters found the victim — Wandy Bethancourt-Adames, 27, also of Lawrence, MA, in the water. He was brought to shore, where CPR was performed. Bethancourt-Adames was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

A medical examiner was called later.

According to online forecast and surf reports, wave heights were as high as 5 feet on Tuesday at Hampton Beach.

Anyone who witnessed or has more details about the incident was asked to contact New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol Sergeant Nicholas Haroutunian at 603-227-2112 or via email, Nicholas.M.Haroutunian@dos.nh.gov.

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