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28-year-old man dies in drowning near Gandy Bridge, deputies say

An investigation revealed the man did not know how to swim.

Update on Monday, June 18, 2018: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office identified a Tampa man who died drowning near the Gandy Bridge in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Deputies said Cruz Sales-Lopez, 28, was trying to swim with his 33-year-old girlfriend around 6:58 p.m. Sunday on the northwest side of the bridge.

An investigation revealed Sales-Lopez did not know how to swim.

Deputies said Sales-Lopez and his girlfriend were headed back to shore before he had difficulty swimming. He then yelled for help and disappeared under the water.

The girlfriend was not able to find Sales-Lopez and swam to shore where she called 911.

Tampa Fire Rescue Department paramedics found Sales-Lopez unresponsive in the water. He was pronounced dead at the Tampa General Hospital around 8:50 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies said the incident appears accidental in nature.

The investigation is ongoing.

Watch: Crews respond to a water rescue at Gandy Beach

Original Story on Sunday, June 17, 2018: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Emergency crews responded to a water rescue at Gandy Beach Sunday.

Authorities said a witness reported seeing a man struggling in the water, go under and never come back up.

Crews searched with boats and helicopters and found the man, said reports. His condition was not released.

This is a developing story. 10News will update information as it becomes available.

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