A 12-year-old boy drowned at a Habersham County lake Saturday afternoon, officials said.
The child, identified as Brian Ramirez, was in a designated swimming area with friends at Lake Russell when he went under the water and did not resurface, according to Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman Mark McKinnon.
Habersham emergency crews got a call at around 4:20 p.m. about the boy who was swimming near a beach at the 100-acre lake and disappeared from view, the sheriff’s office wrote in a news release.
About 10 minutes later, game wardens and crews responded and found Ramirez in 10 feet of water. They determined he had gone under for more than 20 minutes, McKinnon said.
“Despite valiant attempts by responders and the medical flight crew from AirLife Georgia 14, the 12-year-old passed away,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.”
Ramirez was from the nearby city of Cornelia, which has a population of less than 5,000. Lake Russell is about 80 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
Officials don’t believe there is evidence of foul play. It’s unclear whether lifeguards typically work the area or were on duty at the time.
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