A teenage model drowned in the sea moments after a beach photoshoot.
Nicolas Araújo Camassola went into the sea with some of his classmates after taking a school leavers photo on Tuesday (3 Jun).
However, the 17-year-old quickly found himself in trouble, with the tide pulling him further and further out.
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It took a while for people to realise he was struggling.
Gustavo Honorato – who had gone along with his brother, one of the school leavers, to the shoot – witnessed the horror unfold.
He told local media: “The boy who was with him was shouting for help, and Nicolas shouted too.
“But because they were far away, it took a while for anyone to realise.
“They couldn’t hear them properly because the wind was so strong.”
A beach vendor and another pupil swam towards Nicolas off Pontal de Maceió Beach, in Fortim, south-east of Fortaleza, Brazil.
“But by the time they got there, he had already gone under,” recalled Gustavo.
“They dived in and tried to find him, but couldn’t, and had to come back so they wouldn’t drown too.
“Others had tried before them, but the water was too deep, and they couldn’t reach him either.”
Nicolas spent 15 minutes underwater before the waves carried his body closer to the shore, as reported by Need To Know.
The pair who had tried to save him minutes earlier then managed to drag him onto the beach.
Responding firefighters spent about 50 minutes trying to resuscitate him, but their efforts were in vain.
Outside of school, Nicolas worked as a model, appearing in photoshoots and on the catwalk.
He dreamed of becoming an agronomist and continuing his modelling work, according to his sister, Melissa Camassola.
He was laid to rest in nearby Russas – where he lived with his family – on Wednesday (4 Jun).
The photoshoot organisers said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by this irreparable loss.
“We remain committed to offering support and care to the family and school community during this incredibly difficult time.”
And the modelling agency Nicolas was signed to said: “He was a bright, promising young man, full of dreams.
“Even in the short time he was with us, he left a lasting impression with his kindness, humility, and dedication.”
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