HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A boy found by a diver at John U. Lloyd Beach Park on Monday was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The victim was identified as 15-year-old James Clark of Hollywood.
Clark had just finished his freshman year at Hallandale Beach High School, where he was a star member of the track team.
Police said that strong rip currents pulled the boy under around noon Monday. BSO and a helicopter assisted in the search.
Clark was transported to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital where he later died.
Beachgoers said he was barely responsive when his body washed ashore around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.
"They made a circle around him and started praying -- raising their hands," said Bryan Amilivia, who witnessed the incident. "They started putting breath in him and water came out of his mouth, but he wasn't breathing and they just kept pumping and pumping him."
Red flag warnings were up on the beach. The walkway to the area where the family was with the child had a sign warning that no life guards were on duty.
It remains unclear just how experienced the boy was as a swimmer.