Boy, 16, Drowns In River After Jumping In To Save Girlfriend

Story By: Lisa-Maria Goertz, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

This 16-year-old boy has drowned in a river after jumping in to save his struggling girlfriend and getting caught in a whirlpool.

The incident took place at Caiabi River in the city of Sinop in the central-western Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

Lucas Muniz da Rosa, 16, was enjoying a day out with his friend and girlfriend by the riverside, according to national newspaper G1.

@lucasmunizdarosa/Newsflash

The victim’s girlfriend, who has not been named, dropped her hat in the water and went to grab it, but accidentally fell in.

According to national newspaper Educadora News, Lucas jumped in and managed to help his girlfriend out of the river, but became trapped in a so-called ‘hole’ and was unable to swim out.

A hole is a body of rotating water produced by opposing currents typically near an obstruction like a boulder that can often trap swimmers caught in its vortex.

Newsflash

The body of the teen was found several hours later by firefighters at a depth of seven metres (23 feet), according to G1.

The body was identified by family members at the scene.

It is unclear if the boy’s death is under investigation by the local authorities.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.