NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (AP) – A man died while trying to rescue an 11-year-old girl who slipped and fell into the water, police said. Kenneth Gurnon, 48, of Newport News, Va., slipped and hit his head on the rocks after entering the water Monday, police said. He was unconscious and was found floating face-down 75 to 100 yards from shore.

Gurnon was trying to rescue Corey Tewalt, 11, of Virginia Beach, Va., who had fallen into water located along a dangerous area of rocks and cliffs, authorities said. A team of officers and firefighters pulled her to shore with the help of a life ring, said Narragansett Police Chief J. David Smith. Corey was not seriously injured.

Both were taken to South County Hospital in South Kingstown, where Gurnon was pronounced dead.

It was not immediately clear if the man knew the girl.

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