A 4-year-old girl is dead after drowning in a lake in Greenwood Sunday night.
The Greenwood Fire Department was dispatched to the 800 block of Padre Lane, near East Main Street and Sheek Road, around 9:15 p.m. Sept. 1 for a report of a missing 4-year-old.
Authorities said an officer with the Greenwood Police Department found the girl in a body of water behind a nearby home.
The officer jumped into the water to try and save the girl and started CPR.
A few minutes later, Greenwood firefighters took over medical care. Within 10 minutes, the girl was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
13News spoke with Robert Lyons, who has lived on the small lake for over 40 years.
“Normally, this just doesn’t happen. I just can’t imagine that this did happen,” Lyons said. “Makes me think about what am I doing on a daily basis that maybe I can create some security or safety within the community.”
Initial reports stated the girl was in town visiting with family and had been missing for an hour. Officials added that multiple family members were looking for her prior to calling 911.
“It is unknown at this time what drew the child to the water and the exact circumstances leading up to her entering the body of water,” Greenwood Fire said in a news release. “Our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time.”
While nothing will bring the little girl back, Lyons hopes everyone can be more aware of their surroundings to prevent another tragedy from happening by the water.
“Let’s just keep a better eye on what we’re doing in that aspect. You know, just with everything,” Lyons said.
