INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An 18-year-old Sebastian River High School senior died after a rip current pulled him underwater for several minutes at Treasure Shores Park on Friday, officials said. The student, whose name was not publicly released, was a well-respected member of the school's band and set to graduate next Thursday. "The School District of Indian River County is heartbroken to confirm the tragic passing of a Sebastian River High School senior who drowned at the beach after school hours earlier today. Although this incident did not occur during a school-sponsored activity, the loss of one of our students is felt deeply across the entire school community," Cristen Maddux, spokesperson for the School District, said in a statement. "Throughout this week, Sebastian River High School has been honoring its seniors with a series of final celebrations to mark the end of their time together. After today's culminating event, a group of students went to the beach where the tragic incident occurred." First responders were called about 1:40 p.m. to Treasure Shores Park in the 11300 block of Highway A1A. Multiple agencies, including the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Indian River Fire Rescue and Indian River Shores Public Safety Department, along with a lifeguard, responded to the scene. Preliminary reports showed that multiple people pulled the young, Indian River County teenager from the water and tried to revive him before first responders arrived, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office. "An 18-year-old male was pulled from the water, and live-saving efforts were immediately initiated," Jaworski said. "Despite their efforts, the individual was transported (by ambulance) to (Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital) but tragically did not survive." Jaworski said the teen's next of kin were notified of the incident. Victims' advocates and the sheriff's Trauma Advocate Response Team were providing support to the teen's family, teachers and classmates. Treasure Shores Park, along with Turtle Trail Beach, Ambersands Beach and Seagrape Trail Beach, are all unguarded, said Kathy Copeland, legislative affairs and communications manager for Indian River County. There are signs at the beaches to notify the public that there are no lifeguards, Copeland said. The beach at Treasure Shores Park also has a flotation station installed by Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach Foundation and county commissioners. The station, which as a flotation ring, can be used if the beach is unguarded or if the lifeguard is off duty. It was not immediately clear if beachgoers used the flotation ring to pull the teenager to shore. Sebastian and Vero Beach had 15-to-20 mph east southeast winds, with gusts up to 25 mph, about the time of the incident, said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The day was mostly sunny. "We had a strong sea breeze that went through today," Kelly said. Sebastian River High School officials said in a Facebook post that Friday evening's end-of-the-year band concert is canceled out of respect for the teen and his family. "We will have support available on campus in the coming days for students and staff who may need someone to talk to during this difficult time," Sebastian River High School officials said in a statement. "Our thoughts and hearts are with the student’s family, friends, and everyone who is grieving. Thank you for keeping this family and our school community in your thoughts." School officials asked for compassion and respect for privacy for the teen's family. Sheriff's officials called the incident a drowning, but said the medical examiner's office will determine the student's cause of death. "We extend our deepest condolences to the student's family, friends, and the entire SRHS community," Maddux said. The incident remains under investigation. <em>Photos by Nick Samuel</em> [gallery ids="217670,217671,217672,217673,217674,217675,217676,217677"]