New Franklin Fire Department: Child drowns at Portage Lakes State Park

A child drowned Friday afternoon in Portage Lakes State Park, according to a news release from the New Franklin Fire Department.

Fire personnel and volunteers initiated a human chain to search the swim water after the child was reported missing about 2:30 p.m.

Although it initially was believed the missing person wasn't in the water, the child ultimately was found in about 4 feet of water.

Resuscitation efforts were immediately initiated. The child was transported to Summa Barberton Hospital but did not survive.

The child's identity was not immediately released.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time," New Franklin Fire Chief Steve Leslie said in the news release."We would like to thank the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Rangers, the New Franklin Police Department and the public who assisted in the search."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Franklin Fire Department: Child drowns at Portage Lakes State Park