A former Maine man who moved to Florida last month drowned while swimming in heavy surf off St. Augustine Beach, Florida, over the weekend.

Sean Beaudet, 32, was swimming with a family member during the day Saturday, while other family members were on the beach, said Commander Jim Parker, of the St. Augustine Beach Police Department.

Family members spotted Beaudet face down in the water, pulled him to shore and tried to resuscitate him while rescue workers responded, Parker said. He was taken to Flager Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m.

The St. Johns County Medical Examiner confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the cause of death was an accidental drowning.

The Atlantic Coast beach is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of beach goers converging on the miles of wide sandy beach every weekend, Parker said.

Saturday, conditions were poor for swimming.

“It was a very rough surf,” Parker said. He said he did not know if there was a surf advisory, but said marine patrol services were patrolling the waters just off the beach. Water temperatures have been about 60 degrees, still chilly by Florida standards, though air temperatures were about 80 degrees.

Beaudet’s family said he was a strong swimmer, police said.


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