Jamesburg youth, 17, drowns in pond Sat.

Jamesburg youth, 17, drowns in pond Sat.

A 17-year-old Middlesex County youth drowned after a boat in which he was fishing with friends capsized on an Upper Freehold pond in Monmouth County Saturday, police said.

Pascual Vilchis of Jamesburg was fishing with four friends at the irrigation pond on Meirs Road when they found a small metal boat and decided to use it, state police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Rehmann said. Vilchis and two friends pushed the boat to the center of the pond about 9 p.m., Rehmann said.

The boat apparently began to take on water and sank, Rehmann said. "At that point, all three passengers jumped from the boat," he said.

Vilchis’ two friends were able to swim away, but Vilchis, who was unable to swim, did not make it to shore, Rehmann said.

The drowning was reported to police by his friends at the scene, Rehmann said. Police did not release the identities of Vilchis’ friends on Monday.

In addition to state police officers, Hope Fire Company and the Allentown-Upper Freehold First Aid Squad responded to the scene. Rescue workers recovered Vilchis’ body from the center of the pond.

An autopsy performed Monday confirmed that drowning was the cause of death, but police are awaiting the results of routine toxicology tests that will take six to eight weeks.

— Alison Granito