Man Who Drowned Off Stamford Coast Identified: State Officials

Stamford CT

12 July, 2021

6:21 PM

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STAMFORD, CT — A 63-year-old Norwalk man who died over the weekend after the canoe he was in capsized in the Long Island Sound just off Stamford has been identified as Lorenzo Macua, according to a spokesperson from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). "It's not exactly clear how the boat capsized, but there were rough conditions that likely contributed to the boat capsizing," said Meghan Bard, from CT DEEP. "The Chief Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the cause of death as drowning." Macua and another man were sent into the water after their canoe capsized on Saturday morning near the east side of Shippan Point, according to a news release from the Stamford Fire Department. Initial 911 calls came from residents of Ocean Drive East after they witnessed two people struggling in the water after the canoe had overturned. A Stamford Police boat was in the area of Shippan Point when the first 911 calls were made, and it was able to reach the scene in less than three minutes, the SFD said. Upon their arrival, police found four lifeguards from nearby Woodway Beach Club actively working to try and save Macua who was unresponsive and not breathing after he was pulled from the water, according to fire officials. The second man that was in the canoe was found on the shore uninjured. The four teenage lifeguards — Kinga Srednicka, Nicholas Radman, Henry Sokolowski, and Christian Carson — ran several hundred yards down the shoreline after hearing calls for help coming from the water, the SFD said. Several fire companies also arrived at the scene to assist with life-saving efforts and removing Macua from the remote location along the shoreline. The SFD said Macua was transported by Stamford EMS to Stamford Hospital where he died. Two of the lifeguards sustained lacerations and minor injuries trying to save Macua's life, and the Stamford Police Department and SFD recognized their efforts. "While this incident ended as a tragedy, it should be recognized that these four teenagers went above and beyond their responsibilities to get involved," the SFD said in a news release. Members of the Stamford Police Department Marine Division and the SFD returned to the Woodway Beach Club Saturday afternoon to present the lifeguards with a challenge coin from both agencies.