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Massachusetts boy, 9, caught in rip current at Rhode Island beach dies

A 9-year-old Massachusetts boy died Thursday, two days after he was caught in a rip current at a Rhode Island beach.

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Keven Arruda, of Somerset, was caught in a current before he was pulled from the water at Easton’s Beach in Newport, according to the Fall River Reporter.

The boy was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, where he died, WJAR-TV reported. Arruda’s grandfather, Jerry Marino, told the television in a statement that his organs were donated.

“He has donated his organs to some people who can use them and live a good and long life,” Marino said in a statement. “He was such a cute little boy with a bubbly personality and just loved everyone, and life to the very end. Keven will always be in our hearts and be remembered forever. Keven, we love you!”

A Newport spokesperson said a lifeguard spotted Arruda in the waters about 150 yards offshore at about 2:45 p.m. EDT, WJAR reported. Lifeguards performed CPR for up to eight minutes before rescue crews arrived, according to the television station.

The boy regained a pulse while he was transferred to a hospital in Newport, and was later taken to the Providence hospital, according to the television station.

Arruda was in the pediatric intensive care unit on life support and suffered irreversible brain damage due to lack of oxygen, according to the Fall River Reporter.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover medical and future costs.