UPDATED: Man Dies After Saving 5-Year-Old Grandchild

Written by Sandy McGee.

Updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. 

A 52-year-old man diedSunday near Spar Island after he helped prevent his 5-year-old grandchild from drowning, according to Projo.com. 

Tiverton firefighters received an emergency call at 3:30 p.m. A man in red shorts was missing for the last 15 minutes. 

"He went in the water to assist a 5-year-old out of the water," said acting-Lt. Daniel Murphy of the Tiverton Fire Department. "The 5-year-old made it to Spar Island, a sand bar in middle of water. The man never surfaced."

Rescue boats from Bristol, Portsmouth and Tiverton were dispatched. A command post was set up in Bristol. 

The man was found floating in the water near Spar Island in Mt. Hope Bay, Murphy said. CPR was performed on the victim, who was transported to a dock in Bristol. 

Bristol Rescue then transported the man to Rhode Island Hospital, according to Tiverton fire officials. It is unknown where he was pronounced dead. 

Several messages left with the Bristol fire chief were not returned.