13-Year-Old Dies After Nearly Drowning In Prospect Park Lake: Family

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, NY — Nearly a month after he first slipped under the water at Prospect Park Lake, 13-year-old Rikeverns Joassaint "became an Angel" Wednesday, his father said.

The teenager, known as Ricky, had been in a coma since nearly drowning in Prospect Park Lake on June 13.

Joassaint was able to hold on to see his mother one last time, said his father, Sergo Joassaint.

"He fought and held on until we were able to bring his mom from the Caribbean to come to his bedside. His mom was able to spend 1.5 days with him at the bedside, before Ricky became an Angel of God," Sergo Joassaint said on a GoFundMe Page.

A hard-working student, Ricky Joassaint loved playing video games, basketball, soccer and music, his father said.

Joassaint idolized Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan and Lebron James — and he loved blue and red.

"My heart is broken and torn to pieces," Sergo Joassaint said.

By Friday, Joassaint's GoFundMe had raised over $10,700, initially for medical bills.

Ricky Joassaint was seen playing with friends in the water about 5:30 p.m. June 13 when he flailed and went under water, according to the Daily News.

A passerby and emergency personnel rescued him from the water minutes later, according to the New York Post. Joassaint was rushed to an area hospital, where he remained in critical condition for weeks.

"We are heartbroken. We ask for your prayers to help us during this painful and tragic part of life," Sergo Joassaint said.