Father Dies After Helping Struggling Son in Lake

The 11-year-old boy wasn't hurt

Vermont State Police say a man has died after he jumped into the water at Button Bay State Park to help his struggling son. 

Authorities say 36-year-old Jason Russell of Starksboro was admitted to the intensive care unit at the University of Vermont Medical Center after the incident Wednesday in Ferrisburgh. He died at about 4 a.m. Thursday. 

The 11-year-old boy wasn't hurt. Authorities didn't immediately identify him. 

Police say the boy began to struggle in the water while swimming toward an island in Lake Champlain. Russell was able to lift him out of the water, but submerged while elevating his son. The boy's mom paddled out to them in a kayak. 

Police say it doesn't appear that alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident. The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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