22-year-old woman drowns while swimming in Puerto Rico ocean

Cimone Alicea Dawson, a 22-year-old woman from Indianapolis, drowned while vacationing in Puerto Rico. She was at Condado Beach in San Juan with her girlfriend and a friend when they encountered difficulties in the water due to a strong rip current. In a heroic attempt to rescue her girlfriend, who was struggling, Dawson rushed into the ocean but soon found herself in peril as well. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM on a Sunday. The United States Coast Guard conducted a search operation for two days, utilizing both aerial and maritime resources. Tragically, Dawson was found submerged and unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead the following day. In contrast, her girlfriend was successfully rescued by local beachgoers and authorities, highlighting the chaotic nature of the situation as multiple individuals were caught in the current. Witnesses described the scene, noting the urgency and desperation of the moment. Bystanders attempted to assist those in distress, but the strong current complicated rescue efforts. The Coast Guard emphasized the importance of remaining calm in such situations and advised against swimming directly against a rip current, suggesting that swimmers should move parallel to the shore instead. Dawson's family expressed their shock and grief over the incident, reflecting on the unpredictability of life and the emotional toll of losing a loved one in such tragic circumstances. The event serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by rip currents and the need for awareness when swimming in the ocean.