A day of family fun at an Ohio water park turned tragic after a 14-year-old girl slipped underwater and drowned.
Officials say Mykiara Jones disappeared underwater Tuesday at the Land of Illusion Aqua Adventure Park in Middletown, about a half-hour south of Dayton. It's an outdoor park that features an inflatable obstacle course on a lake.
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It took lifeguards about 30 minutes to locate the teenager and pull her from the murky water. She was flown to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones called it a tragedy that no parent should have to endure.
"These are the calls first responders dread and have difficulty dealing with," Jones said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."
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Park operators offered their condolences to the teen's family, and thanked staff and first responders who participated in the rescue effort. In a statement, the park said it prioritizes guest safety and diligently complies with all state regulations.
A GoFundMe account for Mykiara's family describes her as a caring spirit with a beautiful smile that would light up a room. She was a straight “A” student who had dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Mykiara would have been a freshman at Middletown High School in the fall. The school is providing grief counselors to support students, staff and parents as needed.
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