3 Drownings In A Week In Maryland, Now Officials Urging People To Stay Safe
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Two people have drowned in Maryland's waters in two days -- and now officials are urging people to take safety precautions ahead of the Labor Day holiday.
The 12-year-old girl who drowned at a Maryland state park Tuesday was identified Wednesday morning.
Kaniya Kenly, 12, of Baltimore, was out with a group swimming Tuesday when she went missing.
12-Year-Old Missing Girl's Body Recovered From Sandy Point State Park
Maryland Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Capt. Melissa Scarborough said bystanders tried to help, and police, fire officials and dive teams were called in. Rescuers used side-scan sonar in their search, and continued looking as it grew dark.
The girl's body was found around 4 1/2 hours after officials were called, around 11 p.m.
Water Search Ends, 12-Year-Old Girl Drowns At Sandy Point State Park
This is the third drowning in Maryland in less than a week.
And with the upcoming Labor Day holiday, officials are gearing up for a busy weekend on the water.
Officials are reminding swimmers and boaters to be aware of the hazards and to obey the laws.
"People need to remember that anytime you're around water you need to be cognizant of where you are," said Brian Rathgeb, Natural Resources Police Captain.
12-year-old Kenly drowned at Sandy Point State Park on Tuesday, after entering an area closed off to swimming with a group of friends.
"The current and the tide turned out to be too much, pulled them out, three kids were able to get out of the water, one was not," Rathgeb said.
Rescuers found Kenly's body about 40 yards off of the shore.
A day earlier, a man lost his life while swimming in the Loch Raven Reservoir, his body was discovered just before 6:30 p.m. Monday evening.
The Loch Raven Reservoir supplies water to Baltimore city and the surrounding area residents, it is illegal to swim in it, and violators can be charged with trespassing.
And just days before these accidents, a 19-year-old from Gaithersburg drowned after he jumped into a quarry in Hagerstown on Friday.
These drownings come as Maryland is experiencing a deadly boating season with 14 fatalities.
"When you go out on the boat it's another level of things, you want to have life jackets and wear life jackets, they don't do anything if you're not wearing them," Rathgeb said.
The final holiday weekend of the summer will have police out in full force.
"Water is such a powerful force and again when you're in an open setting here as opposed to a pool," Rathgeb said.
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