The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Friday, June 29, 2012
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer
A 12-year-old girl drowned Friday morning in Smith Mountain Lake.
The girl and a friend were floating on a raft about 20 feet from a dock when the girl fell into the water and disappeared, according to Sgt. Karl Martin with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The girl was under water for an extended period of time before she was found and brought to the surface by a volunteer diver with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire and Rescue, Martin said.
The girl was found in 16 feet of water about 25 feet from the dock, Martin said.
Within a minute, diver Brandon Gautier had the girl on the dock, and dozens of rescue personnel and police officers were administering CPR, Martin said.
"Unfortunately, our resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful," he said. "It was the largest coordinated effort I have seen in a long time, attempting to save the life of this little girl."
Dr. Charles Lane pronounced her dead at the scene, Martin said.
The incident occurred about 10 a.m. at a residence off Penhook Pointe Road, Martin said. The girl and her parents are from North Carolina. They were visiting relatives at the lake.
Assisting with the rescue efforts were the Virginia State Police, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and rescue personnel, including numerous volunteers, from Franklin and Pittsylvania counties. |
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