Tributes have been paid to a Filipino guest worker who died after getting into difficulties while swimming at Elbow Bay Beach.

Angelito Manila, 44, who worked as a waiter at the Coral Beach and Tennis Club, was dragged unconscious from the water by rescuers last Thursday. He was taken to hospital but, despite treatment, died yesterday.

Today, a Bermuda Police Service spokesman confirmed the death.

The spokesman said: “Mr Manila, a guest worker from the Philippines, succumbed to injuries sustained during a medical emergency which occurred at Elbow Beach, Paget, around 3.45pm on Thursday, October 24.

“Police received several reports of a swimmer in distress on the public side of Elbow Beach.

“Members of the public assisted with removing Mr Manila from the water and brought him on to the beach where lifesaving measures had commenced.

“EMTs arrived shortly thereafter and continued lifesaving efforts as he was transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

“Sadly Mr Manila was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

“The BPS has appointed a family liaison officer to assist the relatives of Mr Manila during this difficult time. The BPS extend their condolences to his family and loved ones.”

It is understood that Mr Manila’s wife and son remained in the Philippines when he moved here in May last year, although a brother-in-law lives on the island.

Ryan de Jesus, president of the Association of Filipinos in Bermuda, said that the organisation was saddened by the tragedy and extended its deepest sympathies to Mr Manila’s family and friends.

He said: “We wish them the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories hold in their hearts for ever.

“Mr Manila was a hardworking, cheerful, kind and respectful person, a testament I personally heard from his colleagues and friends yesterday when I visited them at Coral Beach Club.

“Sadness was replaced by smiles as they remembered their happy marriage both inside and outside of work. They said that he will truly be missed.

“I also had the opportunity to talk and empathise with his brother-in-law yesterday. He shared that their family, especially his older sister, is anxious about how his brother-in-law’s remains will be repatriated back to our country.

“I assured him that the association will do its best to co-ordinate with the Philippine authorities to repatriate the remains of his brother-in-law in the fastest way possible.”

Mr de Jesus said he had been in constant contact with Nik Bhola and Sonia Romero, executives of the Coral Beach Club, since Friday.

“I want to commend them for their generosity to Mr Manila’s family and friends — truly they’re an exemplary employer,” he said.

Another member of the association, who did not want to be named, said that Mr Manila had moved here from Kuwait last year — and instantly fell in love with Bermuda’s beaches.

“Whenever he wasn’t at work, he was always going to the beach,” she said.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette today, Mr Bhola, the general manager of the Coral Beach and Tennis Club, said: “Angelito had been a member of our team since May 2023. Even though he was only here for a relatively short time, it felt like he had been here for decades.

“He really fitted into our organisation and became a well-respected member of the food and beverage team. He was hard-working, had incredible energy and a smile every day.

“Our team is doing everything it can to support the family and we have counselling services available. We are also grateful for the outpouring of support from our members.”

Mr Manila is the third person to die on Bermuda’s beaches this year.

Hyon Duk Shin, a tourist from Pennsylvania, died in March after attempting to help other bathers who were struggling in the waters off Horseshoe Bay.

In a similar incident this month, visitor Jamie Lambros, from New York, lost his life at Horseshoe Bay while going to the aid of a fellow swimmer in distress.

After Mr Shin’s death, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, admitted that there was a lack of lifeguards on the island — no lifeguards were on duty during any of this year’s three drownings.

He said lifeguard coverage was on a seasonal basis, from May 1 to October 31, which for several years had mirrored the cruise season.

“In present times, that season has expanded so that ships arrive earlier than May 1 and later than October 31.

“As such, we are exploring expanding the service to better align with the cruise season.

“Unfortunately, as you know, there is a severe shortage of lifeguards locally and the majority of those recruited for the summer season are guest workers.”

In an update on lifeguard recruitment last week, a ministry spokesman said: “On a given day, the Department of Parks requires at least five seasonal lifeguards to provide coverage at Horseshoe Bay Beach, depending on factors like the number of cruise ships in port, to provide lifeguard services.

“The Ministry of Public Works continues to explore solutions to address the staffing shortages despite the challenges with lifeguard recruitment.”