RCMP find third missing girl from swimming trip deceased in St. Mary River

Jun 18, 2020 | 6:01 PM

CARDSTON COUNTY, AB – The body of a missing 17-year-old Hutterite girl was located in the St. Mary River at 3:00-pm Thursday (June 18) afternoon.

On the evening of Wednesday, June 10, a group of teens, four boys and six girls from the Spring Valley Hutterite Colony were swimming and boating with aluminum boats on the very swollen river St. Mary River.

Unfortunately, what began as a fun outing, has left the Colony and many within the Hutterian Brethren community in mourning.

Around 7:30-pm on June 10, three of the girls were in rough water while in a boat, which capsized and left the girls struggling to get out of the water.

Officers from the Raymond/Magrath detachment as well as Milk River RCMP responded around 10:30 to a call to assist EMS for a drowning in the area of Spring Coulee.

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That same evening, the body of one 17-year old girl was found at the edge of the water and the body of a 16-year old girl was found around 6:30 the next morning.

Members of Spring Valley Hutterite Colony watch search for missing girls – Photo courtesy of Global Lethbridge

RCMP Air Services, along with Cardston RCMP, local fire department water rescue and search divers from Manitoba helped with the search, which continued since the incident.

The search resumed this morning with Raymond/Magrath RCMP, RCMP Air Services, Lethbridge SAR and Fire Services, Vulcan Fire and Rescue, and the Magrath Fire Department.

In a new release, RCMP Sgt. Kevin Wright stated, “Our thoughts are with the family, friends and community members during this difficult time – I would like to thank everyone involved for their tireless efforts over the past week during this tragic time.”

Due to the age of the girl, her name is not being released.

by David Opinko - Dori Modney