Robert Diaz died attempting to help save Hedilberto Martinez, Jr., from drowning, South Padre Island, Texas, August 20, 2004. Martinez, 18, was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico when he was carried away from shore by a strong current. Unable to return against the current to shore, he called for help. On the beach in that vicinity, Diaz, 46, business operator, and others were alerted to his plight. Diaz entered the water and waded and swam to Martinez, then grasped him. A woman who also swam out from the beach arrived. Martinez grasped her and held to her as she swam, with difficulty, back to shore. Diaz, meanwhile, also encountered difficulty in the water, which was rough, as it was a windy day. The woman and others swam out to him, finding him floating face down. They returned him to shore and attempted to revive him. He was removed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead of drowning. Martinez was not injured.
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