Valedictorian candidate Thuy Tran drowned during beach cleanup

Tracy Bloom/KTLA

A 17-year-old Boyle Heights student died after being swept away by a large wave while volunteering at a Santa Monica beach cleanup over the weekend.

Thuy Tran, a student at Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, was swept into the water near theOcean Front Walk Saturday afternoon.

Thuy Tran is seen in an undated Facebook photo. (Photo: Thuy Tran Facebook)

Tran was among a group of youngsters swimming in the water, possibly in an “inshore hole,” when the call came in for a rescue at approximately 12:48 p.m. Several people were assisted out of the water before lifeguards learned that one person was missing and possibly submerged.

Tran was found about an hour later following an intense search that included rescue boats and L.A. County helicopters.The teen was taken to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica.

She was pronounced dead at the hospital the following morning at approximately 8:11 a.m. Drowning has been ruled as the cause of death.

Tran had recently been accepted at Stanford University.

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http://ktla.com/2016/03/31/student-dies-during-volunteer-beach-cleanup-in-santa-monica/