FALL THROUGH ICE

Three-year-old girl dies, sister fights for her life in Edmonton hospital

One of two young girls rushed to hospital after falling through ice near Red Deer on Friday has died, a source close to the family told the Herald on Saturday.

She was the younger of two sisters aged three and five who had been rushed to hospital in Edmonton.

The family is “absolutely traumatized by everything,” said the family friend, who asked not to be named to respect their privacy.

The young girl’s family plans to release a statement, but aren’t yet “strong enough to do that,” he added.

“Their attention revolves around the other little girl,” he said.

AFTER THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED, WE WERE ALL RE-REMINDING OURSELVES ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THIN ICE AND THE SPRING THAW PENHOLD MAYOR DENNIS COOPER

“They’re not really thinking of everybody else’s curiosity, but their own needs right now.

“I absolutely cannot imagine being in that situation.”

Staff at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta Health Services and police declined to confirm the girl’s death.

RCMP said Saturday they will not provide any more updates on the conditions of the girls, and will leave it to family to disclose new details.

The girls fell through the ice Friday morning and were submerged in the metre-and-a-half deep water.

They were rescued by family and rushed to hospital first in Red Deer and then to Edmonton.

Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper said the community’s thoughts and prayers are with the family that lives nearby and is now in Edmonton.

“After the accident happened, we were all re-reminding ourselves about the dangers of thin ice and the spring thaw,” said Cooper.

He said he doesn’t know of any efforts underway to help the family but said if there is a need, the community will be there to help.