A heartbreaking tragedy has struck with the passing of 17-year-old bochur Yehoshua Raam z”l, a resident of Bnei Brak, who drowned while on a trip with friends at the Ein Akev spring in the Negev.

Yehoshua, a first-year talmid at Yeshivas Grodna in Be’er Yaakov, was pronounced dead after drowning during a bein hazmanim outing with friends. His name was cleared for publication following the tragic incident.

According to earlier reports, a helicopter team from the Lahava rescue unit, led by the unit’s commander, was dispatched to the Ein Akev spring in the afternoon after receiving a report of a missing youth who had fallen into the water during the outing. After his clothing was found at the site, an extensive search was launched, and his body was located several hours later.

ZAKA volunteers are currently working at the scene, ensuring proper kavod hameis and gathering necessary findings. Aharon Fischer, a ZAKA volunteer who was in the area and rushed to the scene, together with Gili Tugendhaft, a ZAKA volunteer from the Negev region in the Dimona team, said: “We arrived at the site after receiving the report of a missing boy in the spring. After hours of activity, the 17-year-old was located. This is a very difficult scene. Together with other ZAKA volunteers, we are handling the difficult situation with dignity, while supporting the family in these painful moments.”

The body will be transferred for external examination at the Abu Kabir forensic institute. Details regarding the levayah, which is expected to take place tomorrow, will be updated as they become available.

Yehoshuawas born in Bnei Brak to his father, Rav Yisrael Raam, and his mother, Mrs. Sarah (Glick) Raam.

It was learned that at the age of three, he fell seriously ill and was in critical condition, but in a remarkable turn of events, he recovered and returned to good health.

In his younger years, he studied at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion, and this past Elul he began shiur aleph at Yeshivas Grodna in Be’er Yaakov, where he continued to grow and excel in his learning.

He had gone with friends following early morning neitz davening for a trip in the Negev. In a devastating turn of events, he drowned in the spring, leaving his family and friends shattered.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.