A 28-year-old Portage man drowned Sunday afternoon at Washington Park beach in Michigan City after rescuing his girlfriend, authorities said Monday.

A state Department of Natural Resources release identified the victim as Donald Turner. The DNR release said he was swimming about 4:40 p.m. with his girlfriend when she began to struggle in the water. Turner went to her aid and got her to safety before going under water and not resurfacing, officials said.

A nearby swimmer located Turner’s body a short distance away from where he was last seen. First responders rendered life saving measures and Turner was taken to Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City where he was pronounced dead.

Assisting agencies were Michigan City police and fire departments, Indiana State Police, U.S. Coast Guard and LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services.

— Carole Carlson