WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - A police officer died while trying to rescue a 14-year-old boy who also drowned in a pond in Worcester on Friday afternoon.
Emergency crews were called to Green Hill Park Pond around 1:30 p.m. Friday after witnesses reported hearing three kids screaming for help in the water.
The five police officers who were the first to arrive on scene jumped into the water and were able to rescue two of the three kids.
As more officers arrived, 38-year-old Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia went in to search for the third child and did not come back out. Divers located his body at 2:28 p.m. and transported him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Chief Steven M. Sargent.
At 3:25 p.m. the 14-year-old boy was located. He was also pronounced dead at the hospital.
Familia was a five year veteran of the force and described as a credit to his department. He is survived by his wife, two children, and his parents.
“The Worcester Police Department has lost a brother, a friend and a partner. The city of Worcester has lost a hero. We will remember and we will honor his selfless devotion to Worcester and his ultimate sacrifice to save someone he didn’t know,” Sargent said.
Another diver was also transported with minor injuries.
There was no word on the condition of the other two kids pulled from the water.
“He went in without any regard for his own life and went after that kid but, it didn’t work out for him,” said witness Megan Lamonda.
No further details have been released.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS for updates online and on-air.
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