Brian Fraga Herald News Staff Reporter @BfragaHN

Wednesday

Jul 18, 2018 at 5:32 PM

"It's a tragedy. This is every parent's worst nightmare," Superintendent Matt Malone said.

FALL RIVER - Two bouquets of flowers were set on a small concrete pier, near where 14-year-old Eddiel Benitez drowned Tuesday at South Watuppa Pond.

"It's a tragedy. This is every parent's worst nightmare," Superintendent Matt Malone said.

Benitez had recently completed his studies at Talbot Middle School, and was set to enter the ninth grade this fall. Benitez's family moved to Fall River from Puerto Rico last October after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island.

"They were one of the first families to come after the hurricane," Malone said.

Benitez had a younger sister and an older brother who will also be starting school this fall at B.M.C. Durfee High School. Benitez had been attending classes this summer in the district's extended year program at Henry Lord Middle School.

Malone said crisis adjustment counselors were sent to Talbot and Henry Lord to speak with students and faculty, and will be present at both schools for the next two days.

"People are shocked and they're sad," Malone said.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said Benitez and a friend, a 13-year-old girl, jumped into the pond from a rocky ledge around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. Upon entering the water, both teenagers immediately showed signs of distress. Three male bystanders saw the teens flailing in the water and entered the pond in an attempt to rescue them. They were able to rescue the girl but could not get to Benitez before he went under the water, according to the district attorney's office.

We are grateful for the valiant efforts of our@fallriver_ma emergency#FirstResponders@FallRiverPD@IAFF1314#EMTs as well as civilian bystanders who jumped in & assisted our students in need & led the heroic#search &#recovery efforts yesterday in South Watuppa Pondpic.twitter.com/BBl5FHtFVq

— Fall River Schools (@frpsinfo)July 18, 2018]]>

A diver later recovered Benitez's body from the 10-to-feet-deep end of the pond. Benitez was rushed by ambulance to St. Anne's Hospital. He was pronounced dead around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, described the death as “an accidental drowning.”

The Fall River Public School Department notified employees in an district-wide email on Wednesday morning.

"The worst thing in the world is losing a student. I feel awful for everyone whose lives he touched," said Malone, adding that the district would also be sending representatives to visit the family.

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