TIVERTON — An attempt to beat the heat on a sultry late-August evening with family and friends turned tragic Monday as a Westport man apparently drowned off Tiverton's Fogland Beach.

Joseph Carvalho, 55, of 5 Denis Drive, was pulled from the water shortly after 6 p.m., according to Tiverton Deputy Chief of Police Nicholas Maltais. Rescuers made resuscitation efforts on the scene and transported Mr. Carvalho to St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River where he was later pronounced dead. Although the investigation is not complete, officials say the cause of death appears to be accidental drowning.

Contacted Tuesday, Mr. Carvalho's son Jeff said his father had just come back from Portugal which he had visited for the first time in 35 years. He said his father wanted to visit an 87-year-old aunt before she passed away. As soon as his father returned to Westport, he wanted to swim in salt water, his son said.

Jeff Carvalho said several family members and friends went to the beach that evening, including Mr. Carvalho's wife, Maria, and her sister and family. He said his father had only been at the beach five to 10 minutes when he went into the water.

Mr. Carvalho was on disability after hurting his back a year and a half ago on his job at Capeway Roofing. Because of the back injury, his father was probably not in good enough condition to deal with rough water or currents, his son said.

Besides his son, Jeff, who is 31, Mr. Carvalho leaves a 28-year-old daughter, Melinda.

"He loved to fish, loved the ocean, loved soccer," Jeff Carvalho said of his father.

Mrs. Carvalho's relatives, Joel and Aida Alves, of Fall River, made the 911 call at 6:07 p.m. when they lost sight of Mr. Carvalho. Tiverton Fire and Rescue arrived quickly and entered the water where Mr. Carvalho was last seen, within the roped-off portion to the east-side of the beach. Meanwhile, another beach-goer spotted something about 100 yards down the beach from where rescuers were looking and went out to investigate. Rescuers helped the civilian drag Mr. Carvalho out of the water, about 400 feet from where he had entered.

Weather conditions that evening were reasonably calm, according to Tiverton Fire Captain Howard Passwater. Fogland Beach has a gradual drop-off, a relatively shallow sandy bottom and shelter from southerly wind and waves. When Mr. Carvalho was swimming, the full-moon tide was on the rise toward 4.5-feet by 8:30 p.m. and there was speculation that currents might have been stronger than usual. No lifeguards were on duty at that hour.

According to the rescue and police personnel involved in the investigation, this year has been one of the worst in terms of water fatalities in the region.

"I can't remember a summer that was worse than this for the sheer number of fatalities," said Cpt. Passwater.

BY CHELSEA WONACOTT-MERSHON

AND PEGGY AULISIO

chelsea@eastbaynewspapers.com