LAVA HOT SPRINGS -- A teenage boy who drowned on Saturday in the Portneuf River at Lava Hot Springs died while saving his girlfriend, according to the girl's family.

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased as Marcos Gil, 17, of Arimo. 

A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been set up to help Gil's family pay for his funeral.

The GoFundMe post from the girl's mother states that Marcos "jumped" into the river "without hesitation to save his drowning girlfriend, my daughter. During this courageous and amazing act of selflessness, he was able to get underneath her and push her up toward the surface. My daughter was saved but tragically, Marcos was pulled under by the strong current and did not survive."

The girl's mother told the Journal that Gil "was a true hero."

Gil and his girlfriend, age 14, were walking along the river around 11:40 a.m. Saturday when they decided to go for a swim, her mother said. The girl almost immediately started being sucked under by the river's current, causing Gil to jump into the river and save her. She was able to get out of the waterway thanks to Gil but he was pulled under by the current and drowned. 

The girl dialed 911 and Bannock County sheriff's deputies along with Bannock County Search and Rescue personnel responded to the scene. The Bingham County Sheriff's Office scuba dive team later responded as well. 

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office said it took about three hours to locate and remove Gil's body from the river.

The girl didn't suffer any injuries but watching her boyfriend drown clearly traumatized her, according to her mother.

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office said the Portneuf River is fast-flowing, deep and dangerous right now because of the spring snowmelt and people should definitely not swim or go on the river until it returns to its normal level and flow.  

As of Sunday night, the online fundraiser had raised $600 for Gil's funeral. 

To make a donation visit https://www.gofundme.com/dsj3ga-funeral-expenses?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=campaign_link_t&utm_campaign=welcome