Child dies in unspecified “incident” at Medicine Hat park

Medicine Hat Police are confirming that an 11-year-old child has died in an unspecified “incident” that occurred at a city park on Monday.

Police confirmed that officers responded to the Echo Dale Regional Park at 2:17pm over reports of a missing child. They managed to locate the child on hour later at around 3:30pm and Emergency Medical Services transported him to hospital.

Police confirmed in a statement released this morning that the child has since died, and that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. However foul play is not suspected.

The City of Medicine Hat announced on Monday that the Echo Dale Regional Park is closed until further notice. They have also gone forward and have closed all city-operated pools and aquatic centres indefinitely for a thorough review including:

• Kinsman Aquatic Park at Big Marble Go Centre
• Hill and Strathcona pools
• Crestwood Rec Center (only the pool is closed)

The City will provide updates on the reopening on the facilities once confirmed.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with the child’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” said Joe Hutter, Interim City Manager. “I can’t begin to imagine the grief this family is experiencing.”

Police are sending out their thoughts to the child’s family, classmates, school staff and others affected and will not send out any more details at this time out of respect for their privacy.