MOUNT AIRY, Md. — An investigation is underway after a 13-year-old was swept into a drainage pipe in Mount Airy, Maryland.
WATCH: Teen dies after being swept into drainage pipe in Mount Airy
Neighbor Henry Rosenblit told WMAR-2 News the rain was coming down hard.
"You couldn't see 10 feet in front of you; that's how bad it was," said Rosenblit.
But he didn't truly know how bad it was until he looked to the side of his apartment building.
"By the time I noticed what was going on, the fire department was already here. They were in the ditch over there trying to get the kid out."
An official with the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company told WMAR Thursday evening that the incident occurred in the 200 block of Watersville Road around 5:20 p.m.
According to the spokesperson, a group of children were playing at the time of heavy rain.
As the rain continued to pour, the water rushed down a stormwater pond and came down where the children were playing and swept the teen into the drainage pipe.
An officer arrived first on the scene and tried to save the teen, with the fire personnel following shortly after.
"You had numerous emergency personnel on scene—over a dozen plus—EMS, fire department, and officers from the Mount Airy Police Department, Carroll County, and Fredrick on route to help us," said Mount Airy Police Chief Michael Ginevra.
Crews quickly went to work, trying to get the 13-year-old out of the pipe, but it wasn't easy.
"The water was all the way across and again probably about chest level, and we're talking bigger officers that were in the water."
Unfortunately, when they got him out of the pipe, the teenager was already dead.
"It's terrible; any time a child dies, it's awful. And I have a child of my own, and I couldn't imagine having to go through something like that," Rosenblit said.
Doug Alexander, with the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, told WMAR-2 News it was a tragedy for the family, the community, and everyone who tried to save the 13-year-old.
"I can't say I've had that experience, no, and hopefully won't have it again, to be honest with you, but it's not something that happens on a regular basis," Alexander said.
Officials remind people drowning can happen quickly.
They advise you to stay inside where you're safe when there's a water emergency.
And if you are unsure of something, authorities say your best bet is to always call 911.
Officials say that the Mount Airy Police Department has assumed the investigation.
*This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.*
