Teen West Point Cadet Dies Saving Swimmer On Long Island Beach

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- An 18-year-old West Point cadet died four days after saving another swimmer from a rip current at Southampton Beach on Long Island, according to multiple reports.

West Point Cadet Thomas Surdyke died after saving another swimmer at Southhampton Beach on Long Island.
Photo Credit: *GoFundMe*

K Reakes

07/03/2016 11:00 a.m.

Thomas Surdyke, of Missouri, was enjoying a day at the beach with a fellow cadet when he and another person were swept out to sea by a rip current last Friday. The other person couldn't swim. Surdyke was able to save that person, but he drowned in the process, according to information on a GoFundMe page set up in his honor.

Lifeguards were able to revive Surdyke, but he suffered brain damage and struggled for four days before passing away, the GoFundMe page said.

He died, just two weeks before his 19th birthday. The person he saved is doing well, according to Time Warner Cable News.

Friends of the family have set up the page in hopes of raising $25,000 to begin a scholarship fund in his name and to help his family with medical bills.

Click here to read the entire TWC News story.

Click to visit the GoFundMe page.

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