The youth, identified as Angel Ortiz, was visiting friends in New Milford and swimming at the park when he went under water around 2:30 p.m. When he did not resurface, lifeguards located him after a brief search and administered CPR at the scene, according to a report from the New Milford Police Department.
Police, Water Witch Hose Co. #2, New Milford Ambulance and Campion Paramedics all responded to a reported drowning at the park.
The youth was transported to New Milford Hospital for treatment and then flown by LifeStar helicopter to the medical center in Hartford.
Melissa Reiner, a New Milford resident, was on the beach at the time.
"Basically what happened was a woman noticed a child that was with her-don't think it was her child-was not coming up, so the lifeguards ran in right away and started searching," she said. "They brought him out within minutes-I'm not sure how long-and they started working on him. That's all I really saw because I got my kids off the beach.
"I thought the lifeguards handled it perfect," Ms. Reiner added.
Police officers and the lifeguards on duty at the scene were not able to comment.
According to the Connecicut Children's Hospital public relations department, Angel was listed in critical condition in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit.
New Milford police are investigating the incident and ask that any witnesses contact the department by calling 860-355-3133.