Crime & Safety
Boy Drowns in Harvard Retention Pond
The boy was in a canoe that overturned Monday night.
A 12-year-old Harvard boy is dead after the canoe he was in overturned Monday in a retention pond at 811 Apple Valley Road in Harvard, according to a McHenry County Coroner press release.
The boy was unable to swim to shore. Calls for help alerted his uncle to the area where the boy was found to be flailing in the water, according to the news release. His uncle made an attempt to save the boy but was unable to before the boy went under the water.
The dive team arrived and found the boy in 15 to 20 feet of water about 125 feet from shore at 8:31 p.m., according to the news release.
The rescue team attempted to resuscitate the boy before he was transferred to Harvard Mercy Hospital, according to the news release. He was pronounced dead at 8:46 p.m.
Two other male occupants in the canoe were able to get to shore, according to the release.
An investigation into the drowning is underway and a coroner investigator found no evidence of external trauma to the boy. An autopsy will be performed Tuesday morning, according to the news release.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
