WILBRAHAM - The two men who died Friday in an accidental drowning in Wilbraham were each international students who jumped into the Chicopee River to rescue two young children having trouble with the currents, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

The two men were identified Tuesday at Theeb Alyami, 27, and Jaser Daham Alrakah, 25. Both are natives of Saudi Arabia and were attending local colleges, he said. Alyami had been residing in Hartford, while Alrakah had been staying in Springfield.

Alrakah was a student for the past year at Western New England University, majoring in civil engineering for the school's College of Engineering. In his junior year, he transfered into Western New England from another college last fall.

The campus issued a statement Tuesday that read: "The entire Western New England University community joins with Jaser's family and friends in mourning his tragic loss. By all accounts, he died coming to the aid of others. The University is working with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to support Jaser's family during this difficult time."

Alyami was enrolled at the University of Hartford, as a senior majoring in civil engineering.

University of Hartford President Greg Woodward issued a statement to the campus mourning his loss.

"We will mourn this terrible loss together. In the days ahead, we will work with Theeb's family to determine the most appropriate way to honor his memory," his stament read.

Gulluni said several witnesses told police that two children had been in the water in the area of Red Bridge Road, and at some point began to show distress with the currents.

Several adults who were nearby, including Alyami and Alrakah, jumped into the water to help them.

Gulluni said Alyami and Alrakah were apparenly overcome by the currents and swept away while onlookers tried to help.

Wilbraham and Ludlow police, and the state police Dive Team and helicopter searched the river for several hours over the weekend. One of the bodies was recovered that night, while the second was discovered on Monday morning near Cottage Street.

Gulluni said his office is continuing to investigate the incident.