Elderly man drowns in South Florida waters

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- An elderly man died Sunday afternoon after he got caught in an undertow and drowned.

Paramedics found Angelo Ritacco, 85, unresponsive in the water around 3 p.m., near 1900 South Ocean Drive in Hallandale Beach. Fire Rescue transported him to Aventura Medical Center where he died.

A Good Samaritan noticed the man floating out in the water, but he did not make it to him in time, the rip currents proving to be too strong. "Somebody said he was frantic out in the water," said Frank Rosillo. "I started swimming out there, someone said the guy was calling out for help. Next thing I saw, his head was face down."

According to Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue, two other men also got caught in the undertow but were rescued by a lifeguard and Fire Rescue.

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