Child pulled from Legacy storm pond dies: Calgary Fire Department

Calgary police say a girl has died in a drowning incident at a pond in the community of Legacy.

The Calgary Fire Department says a child died on Sunday after being pulled from a pond in the community of Legacy.

Emergency crews were called to the 200 block of Legacy Main Street S.E. after 1 p.m. for reports a child was submerged in the water.

The Calgary Fire Department says a family member jumped in the storm pond to bring the child to shore, at which time bystanders began performing CPR.

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Firefighters took over CPR and continued until paramedics arrived

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the child, who was in critical, life-threatening condition.

The fire department says the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It is estimated that the child may have been in under water for around 20 minutes,” the fire department said.

The fire department’s aquatic rescue team searched the pond to make sure no one else was in the water.

On Monday, a makeshift memorial was visible at the scene, including several bouquets of flowers and a stuffed elephant.

Victim identified

A GoFundMe page organized by a relative identified the child as seven-year-old Drihanna Matamona. Organizer Kanyon Cash says Drihanna had autism, was non-verbal and “brought joy to everyone around her.”

“Although she was nonverbal, she was incredibly intelligent, expressive, and full of life. She loved her family deeply,” Cash wrote.

He told CTV News only a short period of time had passed before relatives realized Drihanna was missing, and that it was Drihanna’s father that jumped into the water and pulled her body to the shore.

“Her sudden passing has left her family devastated beyond words.”

Dhrihanna leaves behind her parents, a 13-year-old sister, a 10-month-old brother, her grandmother, as well as several aunts and cousins.

‘Take precautions’

Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories warned in a Monday news release that waterways in the province are exceptionally high due to the large amount of rain received over the last few months.

“This summer, the risk of drowning has become even higher — which makes it even more important for all Albertans to take precautions to ensure safety around open water,” spokesperson Brian Geislinger said.

The third week of July marks National Drowning Prevention Week in Canada, coinciding with the country’s peak drowning period.

This year, National Drowning Prevention Week concludes on July 25, which marks World Drowning Prevention Day.

For more information about National Drowning Prevention Week, you can visit www.lifesaving.org.