A 13-year-old Hamilton girl drowned Sunday at Wildwood Conservation Area near St. Marys, Ontario.
Stratford police said they received reports of a girl missing in the water at just before 7 p.m. ET in the designated swimming area of the reservoir. Emergency crews from Stratford police and St. Marys fire searched for approximately one hour before finding her underwater.
"Lifesaving efforts were made; however, the female was unable to be saved, and she passed away as a result of drowning"
The girl was visiting the conservation area with her family.
Police have not released the victim's name. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority closed Wildwood Conservation Area to day use on Monday.
The drowning marks the latest in a series of water-related deaths across southwestern Ontario this summer. An 18-year-old London man drowned at Ipperwash Beach on June 30 while attempting to rescue his younger brother. A 35-year-old Woodstock man died June 22 while swimming at Port Burwell Provincial Park.
The Lifesaving Society reports approximately 160 drowning deaths occur annually in Ontario. Drowning ranks as the third-leading cause of death for children under 14 in the province.
Wildwood Conservation Area is located 45 minutes northeast of London. No lifeguards are stationed at the swimming area.
