A 17-year-old boy drowned in a California lake after he rescued his 12-year-old friend who didn’t know how to swim. According to the Calaveras County Sherriff’s Office, the tragedy at Lake Camanche marked the second drowning incident within two weeks in Calaveras County.
Witnesses report that the 12-year-old boy entered the lake and began having trouble due to the lake’s uneven floor and not knowing how to swim. The 17-year-old then entered the water to help his friend, successfully handing him off to another swimmer. However, he was unable to get himself to safety.
The Sheriff’s Office reports that the older teen suffered a cramp in his lower leg and went underwater.
The teen’s friends called authorities for help, and a search was created by a Calaveras County Marine Safety Deputy and the Amador Marine Safety Unit. A Calaveras County Sheriff’s Dive Team was also called to the scene to aid in the search.
The Dive Team found the teen’s body about 30 feet from the lake’s shore in water that was 14 feet deep.
“It was obviously a tragic situation,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Greg Stark said, the Los Angeles Times reports. “The 17-year-old basically gave his life to save the 12-year-old, which was a heroic act. It was a very emotional scene with the family and friends there.”
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Boy Drowns California — Sources
Calaveras County Sherriff’s Office — MEDIA RELEASE
Los Angeles Times — ‘A heroic act’: Teen drowns after rescuing 12-year-old friend at Northern California lake