2-year-old girl dead after being pulled from Bow River near Canmore

A two-year-old girl died Thursday after search-and-rescue crews pulled her from the Bow River and rushed her to a hospital in Canmore, Alta.

The toddler was reported missing from a Bow River campsite at 4:55 p.m. Thursday. Search and rescue boats searched the river from the water and a helicopter scanned the scene from the air.

“It was a huge family gathering and so there were a lot of people there and they were all looking for this little two-year-old,” said Cpl. Gina Slaney, RCMP public information officer.

The rescue teams found the toddler in the river by 5:30 p.m., but she was in serious condition. Crews started CPR, then took her to a hospital.

“She was in the river and (first responders) immediately began first aid and we didn’t get the result that we wanted, but we did everything we could and everyone thinks that it was an amazing response,” said Slaney.

RCMP are investigating but told Global News that while tragic, they do not believe the case is suspicious.

The office of the chief medical examiner will determine a cause of death but no autopsy date has been set.

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RCMP said that Kananaskis Mountain Rescue had four other rescues that day and that played a part in the incredibly quick response from the first responders.

“I was quite shocked to hear about how often this happens in the backcountry and how tightly knit all of the first responders are in that area,” said Slaney.

Slaney told Global News that this is one of the most challenging calls they get.

“This is absolutely tragic. I’ve been a police officer for 23 years and I can tell you that this will be one of the worst calls that those first responders have ever attended,” said Slaney.

She added that they become first responders to make a difference.

“We all become first responders because we want to help and hopefully in some way, we were able to help the family.”

Slaney added the RCMP sends condolences to the family and that their hearts are with them.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the little two-year-old.  All her family (was) there. They all witnessed this.”

RCMP said that victim services were available for the family during the whole investigation. Victim services can be invaluable to a family going through a tragedy like this.

“RCMP victim services were deployed instantly and were there waiting when the little girl was located and the family had to be notified. And that’s a huge, huge asset for us and for families when they’re going through these types of tragedies,” said Slaney

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