Teen Rescued from Moonlight State Beach Dies: ME

The teenager was swimming in the ocean at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas when he was carried out by a riptide

One of two people rescued from the ocean by a group of teenagers at Moonlight State Beach has died, officials confirmed. 

The 17-year-old victim was from Guatemala, visiting relatives in the San Diego area according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner.

On May 29th, the teenager was swimming in the ocean at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas when he was carried out by a riptide. 

Freshman students from Santa Fe Christian School, who were also at the beach celebrating the end of school, jumped in and helped rescue the teen and his uncle.

Family members told NBC 7 Wednesday night the uncle's name is Vasilio and he's still in the Intensive Care Unit. They say he has been living in the United States for 20 years and has five children back in Guatemala. 

The teenagers who performed the rescue feel like their good deed can’t stop there. Now, they are trying to raise money for the families of the victims.

"We just really felt like we had to do something because we were put on that beach for a reason.  We had to do more than just help them get to the shore. We felt we should do more,” said Kerryanne North.

"It can be really hard at times like this to feel like no one is really there for them and we want to show that people who don't know you can be there for you,” she said.

On Wednesday, the teens started a Go Fund Me account with the goal of raising $30,000.  They also met with the family.

Through a translator, one family said it was unbelievable that β€œthis group kids would ban together to not only do something scary to rescue my family members, they are doing something beyond that day by helping the families who would otherwise be destitute.”  

The teens are hoping to raise enough money to send the 17-year-old’s body back to Guatemala.

They also want to help support the family of Vasilio (pictured right) as he recovers.

 

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