A recent high school graduate who drowned at a lake in Webster, Massachusetts Saturday evening is being remembered as someone with a big heart.
Friends and family of 18-year-old Chris Agnant, who graduated last week from South High Community School in Worcester, gathered Sunday night to reflect on the life of a friend, son and brother.
"He had the biggest heart anyone ever had," Agnant's friend Jose Ortiz said. "My heart's big. His is way bigger."
"If I couldn't talk to anyone, I would always come to him cause he was like my twin, and I could tell him anything and everything," Agnant's sister Jemima said.
Officials say Agnant was at a high school graduation party with his friends Saturday when they decided to go to Lakeside Beach so they could go for a swim.
A friend who was with Agnant during their first time at Webster Lake says the 18-year-old was trying to see how far he could go in the water when something went wrong around 7:30 p.m.
"We hear yelling, the girl's screaming, 'help, help, help,'" Francis Deranamie recalled.
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Deranamie says he threw off his shoes and ran in the water but he started struggling himself. He says he was only feet from his friend when he realized there was nothing more he could do.
"Knowing that you're that close to someone and you can't do anything no more. Right there is was just... I don't know. I'm lost," Deranamie struggled to share.
Webster Police say a group of teens made several unsuccessful attempts to rescue Agnant, as did an off-duty Webster police officer who jumped in the water near the Lakeside boat ramp to help. Webter Police and Fire, along with a Region 7 Dive Team, took over the search, located Agnant and brought him to shore.
Agnant was transferred to Hubbard Hospital where he was pronounced dead. It's not immediately clear why he became distressed.
The drowning is under investigation, but police have said it appears to be an accident, not suspicious.
Agnant was supposed to start courses at Worcester State on Monday.
"I watched video of our graduation right before I came here and again there was that big smile on his face, just so looking forward to his future," South High Community School principal Diane Lynch said.
Grief counselors will be available for students, recent graduates and teachers at South High Community School on Monday, according to Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help with Agnant's funeral expenses.
