2 Saudi Students Who Drowned Trying To Rescue Children In Western Mass. Are Recognized

The U.S. State Department on Thursday offered condolences to family and friends of two Saudi men who drowned last week while attempting to save two children caught in a current in Wilbraham. The children survived.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni's office identified the two men who were swept away near Red Bridge Road on June 29 as Theeb Alyami, 27, and Jaser Daham Alrakah, 25, both college students here from Saudi Arabia.

"The young men drowned while courageously attempting to save children in distress," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. "Their heroism represents the very best of the international students who enrich communities across the United States. Theeb and Jaser were among the 52,000 Saudi students studying in the United States who bring greater international understanding and diverse perspectives to U.S. campuses and communities, and to Saudi Arabia when they return home."

According to Gulluni's office, the two men were overtaken by the current and did not resurface when they and several other adults tried to rescue two children who were having difficulty staying above water.

The children were taken to an area hospital and discharged that evening, a spokesman said.

A State Police dive team and air-wing unit were deployed to help search for the two men. One victim was located Friday evening, and the body of the second was found Monday morning near a dam at the Ludlow and Wilbraham town lines.