Father Sacrifices Life Saving Two Sons From Vineyard Rip Current

A father gave his life to pull two teenage boys from a killer rip current off Martha's Vineyard. Kevin Foster was 55 years old. He lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His family was at Long Point beach on July 31 when he heard four swimmers screaming for help after getting caught in the powerful water flow.

Foster jumped into the ocean to save them. That included his own two sons. The current grabbed him too. First responders got word of the scene at 3:47pm. They rushed over along with other Good Samaritans who pulled swimmers back to safety. Foster was dragged from the water, unconscious and not breathing.

West Tisbury Police Chief Bradley Cortez told the MV Times that every available lifesaving measure was taken to try and save the father. He was taken by ambulance at 4:23pm to Martha's Vineyard hospital. He later died there.

Foster leaves behind his two sons, Kaden and Kenneth, and his wife, Nadia. The grieving wife opened up about the tragedy on a memorial website. She said this loss is unimaginable and their grief is immense. As my sons, Kaden and Kenneth, his mother, Ms. Racelle Devoe, and I mourn Kevin, she asked for privacy and time.

Our family is deeply grateful to lifeguards, firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement, and the brave members of the public who selflessly entered the water. They did everything they could in an extraordinary situation. The family stated that their courage, compassion, and professionalism will never be forgotten.

A GoFundMe page set up for the grieving family drew an outpouring of support. It raised more than $250,000 as of Monday. The beach does not have lifeguards. It was experiencing really strong currents that day, according to the Vineyard Gazette. One witness named Kelly McNeil told the outlet she stopped going in beyond 10 feet because it got more and more violent midway through the day.

Cambridge state Rep Marjorie Decker grew up with Nadia. They have been close since they were five years old, growing up together on Fairmont Street. She wrote a heartfelt tribute on Facebook calling the death devastating. For those who know our family, you know that Nadia has been my sister in every way but blood.

Kevin became family from the moment he entered their lives. He was like a brother to her, an uncle to her children, another son to her mother, and above all, an extraordinary husband, devoted father, and cherished friend. Decker noted that Foster served on Cambridge's Community Preservation Act committee as an advocate for affordable housing.

To know the Fosters is to know what community truly means. They spent their lives opening their home and hearts to others, making everyone feel welcome, valued and loved. The love surrounding them now reflects the countless lives they touched.