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19-year-old drowns in Milwaukee River
19-year-old drowns in Milwaukee River
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A 19-year-old man who was pulled from the Milwaukee River on Monday evening, July 22nd has died. He is identified as Brandon Flores.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's report indicates Flores, who cannot swim, was with several friends and jumped into the Milwaukee River during "horse play" near Lakefront Brewery on Commerce Street. His intention was apparently to swim across. The report says about ten feet into his swim, Flores yelled that he could not swim -- and then drowned when a friend was unable to save him.
The Medical Examiner's report says Flores had no medical or psychological health problems.
On Tuesday evening, friends and family members gathered to remember Flores at St. Anthony's Parish at 9th and Mitchell.
"I’m speechless. I have no clue what happened. It just broke my heart. He was always active and trying to do new things," Jenn Soto said.
Cell phone video captured the fire department's response Monday night. Flores was underwater for 19 minutes before a Dive Team pulled him out. He was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Hospital.
Flores spent much of his last day alive with Cristian Hernandez. An hour after the two split up for the night, Flores drowned.
"He was my best friend. He showed me a lot," Hernandez said.
Friends say it was Flores' outgoing personality that made him so many friends, and ultimately, cost him his life when his thrill seeking went too far.
Flores is described as a good student and soccer player.
Friends say what they've learned from his death is to be more careful in their own lives, and to treasure their friendships.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.