A young man has been dubbed a hero after sacrificing his life to rescue a mother and her young child from drowning as they got caught in a strong rip current.
Cristian Burgos from Miami, Florida, was swimming just off the shore of Virginia Key when he noticed a young mother struggling to stay above the water level while teaching her 9-year-old son how to swim.
As the 25-year-old mum, Elvia Venegas, and her son got trapped by strong currents, 17-year-old Cristian rushed to their aid. While he managed to help them escape, he got pulled underwater himself in the process.
Before the paramedics arrived at the scene, two passersby removed the teen’s unconscious body out of the water. He wasn’t breathing or responding to their actions.
Cristian was then transported to the ER where he had to be taken off life support two days later.
“Our little hero has passed away less than 10 minutes ago. We want to thank you all who have been praying for his supernatural recovery,” the boy’s family wrote on GoFundMe.
“Thank you all who have been donating to help his mother, from the bottom of our hearts. We ask you to keep us the family, specially his mother in your prayers. God bless you all.”
In an interview with CBS 4, the boy’s mum, Maria Del Camren Avenado, added:
“He’s the best son. He’s the most beautiful person I have had. He is a hero. I am happy and I am sad because I wish this had not happened to him.”
Maria was left all alone after the father of her son got deported to Nicaragua and her son sacrificed his life to save strangers.
“I am honestly very proud of him. It was a selfless act. He didn’t think twice to go and help people. I know it was just instincts just like he has done for everyone his whole life, helping other people. He would be happy to know that he saved two people and he will be happy again,” Cristian’s cousin, Nelly Alvarado, expressed.
Another cousin, Katherine Zamora, said:
“I feel really proud of him and while some might be critical of him risking his own life like this, I know I would have done the same thing. I always knew he would do stuff like that. He always looked out for other people.”
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