WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Saturday afternoon, an hour after his baptism, a 21-year-old man named Lincer Lopez died a hero. He drowned in Lake Waxahachie where he was with his church group, trying to save his friend, 15-year-old Genesis Delgado.
Genesis told WFAA after several of her church members were baptized, she got in the shallow end of the lake and took a few steps, not knowing how deep the drop-off would be. She couldn’t swim, and tried to stay above water, but started to sink.
"I was like this is it, I’m just gonna die here, and nobody’s gonna be able to find my body," Genesis cried as she recalled the horrifying moment. "All these flashbacks were coming, and memories, and then I just blacked out."
Genesis is traumatized by her near-death experience and of course the death of her dear friend. She agreed to interview with WFAA, she explained, "to let his family know that I’m so sorry for his loss, and I really did love him a lot."
She wants to publicly thank Lopez, and also the stranger who pulled her into his boat and gave her CPR, Jacob Bell.
"Maybe we can take him out to eat or anything," the 15-year-old said. "Just for me to get to meet him again because I feel like he’s one of the most important people in my life right now."
Genesis just celebrated her Quinceanera; she has so much life ahead of her. And no matter where life takes her, she said, she will always carry Lincer heavy in her heart.
"I thank you Lincer for everything you tried to do, and I hope I can see you again soon, I believe I will," Genesis said.
Lincer's church is fundraising to help send his body back to his family in Mexico and support them through this terrible time. You can find that GoFundMe here.