STRETCHED TOO THIN

Lifeguards Tell Why They Couldn’t Save Malcolm-Jamal Warner From Drowning

The volunteer lifeguard association expressed that they “deeply regret” the accident.

The Caribbean Guard, an association of volunteer lifeguards in Costa Rica, released a statement expressing that they “deeply regret” not having lifeguards nearby when actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowned on Sunday. The statement, posted on their Facebook on Monday, placed the blame squarely on the lack of government resources. Due to “recent water incidents,” they explained, the lifeguards were manning a different beach the day The Cosby Show actor drowned. The association appealed to the government of Costa Rica and the “entire Caribbean community” to direct attention to an increase in drownings and dangerous water conditions, which they claimed is “rising ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.” They warned that without “government help, clear public policies and strong support from local entrepreneurs, this will keep happening.” The 54-year-old actor, who played Theodore Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was on a family vacation in Limón, Costa Rica, when he was caught unaware by a strong current. By the time fellow beach-goers pulled Warner back to shore, he had already drowned, the Associated Press reports.