East Texas teen dies after trying to rescue child at Lake Jacksonville

 A 15-year-old boy from Rusk died Saturday afternoon after trying to rescue a 5-year-old child at Lake Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Police Department.

Police Chief Steven Markasky said officers were dispatched to the Lake Jacksonville campgrounds around 2:31 p.m. after receiving a 911 call about a possible drowning.
According to Markasky, the teenager entered the water to retrieve a 5-year-old who was on a float. The teen then went into deeper water, and cried out for help.

A boater pulled the teen from the water and attempted to save his life before first responders arrived. The teen was taken to UT Health Jacksonville, where he was pronounced dead.

Markasky thanked the boater for acting quickly and attempting to save the teenager's life. The 5-year-old child was not injured. 

The victim's identity has not been released. The Jacksonville Police Department is investigating the drowning.