Family mourns daughter who drowned in S.E. lake
Girl who wanted to be doctor drowned after jumping off community lake dock
An 11-year-old girl died after drowning in a community lake in southeast Calgary last week, her family said Saturday.
The girl was airlifted to Alberta Children's Hospital in life-threatening condition around 2 p.m. Monday after being pulled from Mahogany Lake.
The girl died in hospital later the same day, according to police.
In a statement released through police, the girl's family identified her as Oghenefega Mine Johngold and remembered her as an “active, playful, cheerful girl” known for her smile and great hugs.
“She always related positively with everyone around her and had such a great positive attitude which attracted everyone to her,” her family said.
“Fega proudly stated that she wanted to be a medical doctor when she grew up. She was also a passionate singer who spent a lot of time singing with her family and her church's children choir.”
Johngold was born in Calgary in October 2009 to Efe and Oghenetega Johngold.
“Though Fega spent a short time on this earth, she touched lots of lives and her memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends,” her family said.
“We deeply miss you our angel, Fega.”
Emergency crews had been called to the lake after receiving reports a girl had jumped off a dock and did not resurface.
Calgary fire department crews arrived and found Johngold in the water, where she was unconscious and not breathing.
EMS crews cared for her until STARS Air Ambulance was able to transport her by helicopter to the children's hospital — a rare landing within city limits for STARS, something a spokesperson said spoke to the extreme gravity of the situation.
Police only released updated information on the incident with permission of the family, as the death was ruled to be non-criminal in nature.
On a community Facebook page, members of the Mahogany neighbourhood discussed how best to support and honour the family.
Community leader Sally Mansour said the family has given the green light for a local demonstration Monday, asking all homes in the neighbourhood to turn their front lights on. She asked residents to make their lights blue if possible, symbolizing blue butterflies, the international symbol for children's grief.
A Gofundme page to raise money for the family is also planned.