17-year-old drowns after jumping in water to retrieve dropped phone, officials say

A 17-year-old boy drowned in Alabama after he jumped in a body of water to retrieve a phone that fell in, authorities told news outlets.

On Sept. 13, emergency crews responded to a report of a drowning at Sportsman Park in Limestone County, according to a Facebook post from the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders who arrived at the scene later “retrieved the body of the drowning victim,” the sheriff’s office said.

The teen was later identified as 17-year-old Gustavo Ernesto Oedonez Grave of Athens, the Limestone County Coroner’s Office told WHNT.

Deputies said Grave was at a dock with family members when his phone fell in the water, according to WAFF. Grave jumped in to get the phone and didn’t resurface.

The coroner’s office told WHNT that Grave was swept away by the current.

The initial call came in around 3:30 p.m., and Grave’s body was recovered around 7 p.m., WAFF reported.

Drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

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