Man drowns during holiday weekend at Galveston's East Beach

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- A man has drowned at Galveston's East Beach as the holiday weekend begins, according to the Galveston Beach Patrol.

Family members say Rudy Ramirez, 54, from Rosharon was visiting the beach with relatives Friday afternoon and all went swimming in the water, about waist deep. When the other family members returned to shore, Ramirez remained in the water, but stayed within view of the group.

Peter Davis of Galveston Beach Patrol says when the relatives lost sight of Ramirez, they called security at 6pm. At 6:08pm, beach patrol got a call that a body had been spotted at the end of the south jetty.

A boat was sent out to retrieve the victim, found along the rocks about 50 feet from shore.

Relatives say Ramirez was a veteran and they described him as a strong swimmer. They don't believe alcohol played a factor in the drowning.