A boy has died after being rescued at Woodbine Beach Friday afternoon, Toronto police say.

The boy, who paramedics say was 16, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Paramedics say they assessed four people who were rescued from the water. In addition to the boy, they took two others to hospital.

A 15-year-old girl was taken to local hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics took another person with moderate injuries to local hospital. A fourth person was assessed by paramedics on the scene and was not taken to hospital.

Toronto fire say five people in total were taken out of the lake.

Emergency crews were called on scene, near Lake Shore Boulevard E and Woodbine Avenue, around 2:40 p.m. with police saying they received reports that three people were in distress.

Police said shortly after 4 p.m. that everyone had been accounted for and that a water rescue search was being called off.

Police confirmed later Friday evening that the teen who died was carried under the water after jumping into the lake to help a mother and son who cried for help.

A number of boats took to the beach's whitecapped waves and some rescuers entered the waters in the height of the search. Several people were also on the shores when rescue efforts were underway.

The Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force assisted with the search. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Storm, a 47-foot motor lifeboat, and an RCAF Griffon helicopter were on scene during the rescue. Four Metro Marine vessels and lifeguard boats were also used.

Toronto fire was also on scene.

Toronto Public Health has warned against swimming at some beaches due to the significant rainfall, which has caused high water levels in some parts of the city.

However, the Toronto SwimSafe website listed Woodbine Beach as safe to swim as of Thursday, but police are warning the public of strong undertows in the area.