A teen was rushed to the hospital after he drowned in a canal in North Miami Beach Monday afternoon.
Divers responded to the canal in the area of Northeast 162nd Street and Northeast 15th Avenue after receiving a call of a person in distress, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said.
Alcides Alexander Alfonso, 18, said his friend wanted to jump into the lake.
"We were like, hyped up ... and we jumped," Alfonso said. "I know how to swim so I know what to do."
But his friend, identified by family members as 14-year-old John Fodley Pascal, didn't. He started drowning.
Alfonso said he tried to save Pascal. Another friend called 911.
Divers responded and pulled the teen out of the water, and he was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital as a trauma alert. He was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
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"I hope he makes it out," Alfonso said. "I'mma pray for him cause he’s a good guy. He’s not a bad guy. He’s a good guy."
