'Hero' boy, 14, dies trying to rescue two friends who fell through icy lake

A teenage boy has died after trying to rescue two friends who got into trouble in an icy lake.

With little thought to his own safety, the boy, who has been branded a hero, dove into the water after two girls became trapped, his family have said.

Dyllan Whittenberg died a day after his 14th birthday, two days after going into the water along with another teenage boy.

The girls and the other boy were pulled ashore by neighbours using hoses, extension cords and ropes but a dive team had to go into Crystal Lake, Douglas County, Colorado, to recover Dyllan.

It's believed the teenagers had gone out onto the ice before falling into the water when it broke at around 2.30pm.

Dyllan spent his 14th birthday in hospital before passing away the day after on Thanksgiving (November 24).

His aunt, Yvonne Wenzel, said: "From my understanding, Dyllan saw there was an issue and he just took off running, from what everybody said and dove in the water.

"Unfortunately Dyllan, he went under and nobody could find him fast enough to get him."

According to first responders West Metro Fire, the lake was deceptively deep, starting shallow on the shoreline before quickly dropping off a shelf to seven to eight feet.

His family and many of his classmates at Ranch View Middle School attended a vigil on Friday evening, reports CBS.

A friend of Dyllan's, McKayla Weadick, said: "He was one of the most respectful people; hardworking, determined. He got a job at 13."

At the vigil his mum and dad released balloon's in memory of their son.

HIs dad said: "He touched everybody. That kid was amazing."

This year has been a record year for drownings in the state of Colorado.

The grim tally was compiled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the previous record of 34 in 2020 was broken by September this year.

The majority of the recreation-related deaths this year have taken place on lakes, rivers and reservoirs, while two of the victims were camping when they were swept away by a flash flood.

There were 24 drownings in 2019 and 22 in 2021.

CPW spokesman Joey Livingston said: “It’s just more people coming to Colorado.

“People come to Colorado to get outdoors and recreate. The more people that are here, the more that are out there recreating. That is going to increase the chances of incidents happening.”