Two Siblings Drown in Vermont River After Rescue Attempt

Two young siblings — an 11-year-old girl and her older brother — drowned in a Vermont river after the little girl fell in and her brother jumped in to save her, police said.

Sandro Lala, 25, jumped into the Lamoille River at Arrowhead Mountain Lake in the town of Georgia, about 20 miles north of Burlington, just before 8 p.m. on July 1, while trying to save his sister, Yazmin Yupangui, when she fell into the water, Vermont State Police said.

The siblings, both from Cambridge, Vermont, had been fishing along the shore with their family. After Lala jumped in to save his sister, both disappeared from view, prompting a search of the water near where the river emptied into the lake, police said.

Emergency crews searched for the siblings Wednesday and Thursday, though police noted the conditions on the water the second day were “challenging” following overnight thunderstorms.

Yupangui’s body was found by police around 5:40 p.m. Thursday, while Lala’s was found at 6:40 a.m. Saturday by a kayaker.

Both bodies were taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy, which determined that both deaths were the result of accidental drownings.

A GoFundMe set up by Hesi Correa, a close family friend, noted: “There are simply no words that can truly describe the heartbreak this family is carrying.”

“Yazmin was only 11 years old, but she lived a life filled with love, kindness, and responsibility far beyond her years. She had just graduated from sixth grade at Cambridge Elementary School and was so excited to begin middle school this fall,” Correa wrote.

The 11-year-old was described as having “countless friends” at school, and “one of the biggest personalities.” She was playful, funny, determined and always trying to help others, according to the fundraiser.

“She was always helping someone, whether it was caring for her brother, helping around the house, or simply doing whatever needed to be done without being asked,” the fundraiser read.

Meanwhile, her older brother was “one of the gentlest hearts I’ve ever known,” Correa wrote.

“He was hardworking, humble, funny, and deeply devoted to his family. He loved playing volleyball and soccer with his friends, many of whom became more like brothers than friends,” the fundraiser added.

The fundraiser had received over $70,000 in donations as of Tuesday morning. Correa noted on the page that the family, who are originally from Ecuador, would need help transporting each of their children back to their home country.

The family, headed by parents Maria and Luis, had also seen several hardships in recent years, on top of the loss of two of their children.

“This family has already endured more hardship than anyone should ever experience. In July 2023, during the devastating Vermont floods, their home was filled with nearly four feet of water. They had to be rescued and lost almost everything they owned,” Correa wrote.

He added: “Last fall, while simply on their way to work getting coffee, Luis and other friends were detained by Border Patrol. The trauma, fear, and uncertainty from that experience are something they are still living through today.”

The fundraiser said the family plans to hold a community celebration of life for the siblings.

“Yazmin and Sandro were happiest when they were surrounded by family, friends, laughter and love. Their family wants them to be remembered that way — with smiles, stories, and the joy they brought into every room they entered.”