India, Nov. 12 -- A 12-year-old boy drowned in a lake while his friend was rescued by a passerby in the Bhadvad area of Bhiwandi on Wednesday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Ayush Maurya, a resident of Yogidham Society in Bhadvad. His friend, Aniket, was rescued and admitted to a private hospital, where his condition is reportedly critical.

According to fire brigade officials, Ayush and Aniket entered the water without gauging its depth and began to drown. Another friend on the bank raised an alarm. Following this, a local resident pulled Aniket out of the water and rushed him to a hospital. However, Ayush could not be rescued.

Personnel from the Bhiwandi fire brigade and Shantinagar police station reached the spot soon after...