A South Carolina man drowned Saturday afternoon after he was caught in a powerful rip current off Sailors Haven on Fire Island, Suffolk County police said.

Ishmoile Mohammed, 59, was swimming in the ocean in the early afternoon when he was swept east by the current.

Lifeguards, with the help of Fire Island National Seashore workers, pulled him from the water at 2:45 p.m.

He was airlifted to South Shore University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Safety tips to avoid dangerous rip currents

Always swim near a lifeguard. Being within sight of trained professionals dramatically reduces drowning risk.

Know the flag system and respect closures or hazard advisories.

Understand rip currents. If caught, swim parallel to shore until free from the pull, then swim diagonally back to t

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