A 13-year-old girl has died in a drowning incident at a conservation area near St. Marys.
Stratford police and the St. Marys Fire Department were called to the beach at Wildwood Conservation Area, where the teen had gone missing in the water just before 7 p.m. on Sunday. After roughly an hour of searching, first responders found the girl under water within the designated swimming area.
"Lifesaving efforts were made, however, the female was unable to be saved and she passed away as a result of drowning," police said.
The girl has been identified as a 13-year-old from Hamilton who was visiting the conservation area with family.
"We would like to express our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones who have been impacted by this tragedy," police said.
Police also offered their thanks to members of the public who assisted with the search and recovery effort.
This is the third drowning in midwestern Ontario in just over a week. A four-year-old drowned while swimming in a pond with family near Southgate Road 26 near Proton Station on July 13. A day later, a 32-year-old man drown in Lake Huron near Howdenvale when his canoe overturned.