A young man who died at the Ashdod beach while trying to save a swimmer in distress has been identified as Yochai Elyakim, 28.

Elyakim and his friend had been playing paddle ball at an unauthorized beach near the Metzuda Beach in the city, when they heard a female swimmer in distress calling for help.

Police report that Elyakim and his friend jumped into the water, but Elyakim was pulled out by a strong current. He was eventually rescued by a lifeguard from a nearby beach who was driving a jet ski, while the woman and the second man safely made it back to shore, suffering minor injuries. Elyakim was transported to Assuta Hospital in the city, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Elyakim, a city resident, served as a medic in the IDF’s Duchafit unit and was a physical fitness instructor. Friends report that he was planning to get engaged on Friday, but instead, his Levaya was held on Monday in the Ashdod cemetery.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)