Victor Rodriguez.Photo:GoFundMe
GoFundMe
A New Jersey teen died while attempting to swim across a local lake as part of a school scavenger hunt, according to loved ones.
At the time, he was participating “in a scavenger hunt that went astray,” according to aGoFundMepage set up on behalf of his family.
Chief Dan McAteer of the Pitman Police Department (PPD) said two individuals attempted to help Rodriguez, who “became submerged” in the water during his swim, per WCAU. The pair returned to shore a short time later, after they “quickly” became “overwhelmed themselves.”
The PPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Swimming is not allowed at Alcyon Lake, which McAteer said is about 10 to 12 feet deep, according toNJ.com.
McAteer said the lake’s grassy bottom made it difficult for divers to search the area. “It’s very thick,” the chief told WCAU. “Deeply rooted but comes very close to the surface.”
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At the time he went missing, Rodriguez was just three days away from graduating from Pitman High School, WCAU reported.
Sean Powell, a senior at Pitman High School, told WCAU that the scavenger hunt is a tradition of the high school seniors that has been going on for more than 15 years.
“One of the challenges is to swim across the lake for points. You get points for it,” Powell said. “You gotta record it, and unfortunately something tragic happened.”
Rodriguez was a “standout” on Pitman High School’s wrestling team, McAteer said, according to NJ.com, earning a 30-8 record with the team, which took the Tri-County Conference Classic Division title this school year.
Exams at Pitman High Schoolwere canceledfor both Monday and Tuesday, and will not be rescheduled.
A vigil for Rodriguez was held Monday night at the United Methodist Church in Pitman, according to NJ.com.
As of Tuesday morning, more than $45,000 has been raised via GoFundMe to support Rodriguez’s family following the teen’s sudden death.
“For those of you who know Victor, he deserves only the best,” read a message on the fundraising page. “In this hard time, we ask you to show him the same love he offered everyone else.”
source: people.com
